21 Best STEM Field Scholarships in The US in 2026–2027

If you are a student searching for a STEM field scholarship in 2026, this is an article you cannot afford to miss. The talent gap in these fields is widening, and the smart ones are queuing up to take part in the opportunity.

Here’s the truth they don’t tell you in orientation classes: There is over $100 million worth in STEM scholarships sitting on the table every year—and most of it goes unclaimed simply because students don’t know it exists. This should never be you.

In this era of mass information, I can argue that one of the major problems affecting this generation is the lack of interest in seeking the information which is required to make their dreams a reality.

If you are reading this at this moment, congratulations; you are one of the small fraction of the public eager enough to take bold steps to seek the necessary information. You are already on track to discover generous scholarship opportunities for students in STEM courses.

Whether you’re a first-year undergraduate mapping out your freshman year or a doctoral candidate on the brink of a breakthrough—this guide is for you.

I’ve spent weeks digging through official websites, verifying deadlines, and cross-checking eligibility requirements so you don’t have to go through the tiring research process. I have reviewed tons of official sources and put together the top 21 of the most prestigious and accessible STEM awards in the United States for the 2026–2027 academic year. 

Let’s dive in.

 

What Exactly Are STEM Scholarships?

At their core, STEM scholarships are monetary awards specifically designated for students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. But to view these types of scholarships merely as “tuition discounts” is to miss the bigger picture. Unlike general academic scholarships, STEM scholarships are strategic investments—they are funded by entities with a vested interest in ensuring the next generation of innovators, researchers, and problem-solvers actually crosses the finish line.

 

STEM FIELD SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

The ten scholarships discussed below are carefully hand-picked. They range from need-based aid to merit-based awards and other forms of funding for students who are reshaping the face of STEM

1. Goldwater Scholarship

The Nation’s Premier Undergraduate STEM Scholarship

• Award: Up to $7,500 per year for up to two years of undergraduate study
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; second- or third-year undergraduates; pursuing research careers in STEM
• Deadline: Campus nomination typically September–October; foundation deadline in January

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation offers approximately 300-450 scholarship awards each year to students in the second year at college and juniors planning research careers in majors such as natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. This scholarship foundation was established by the US Congress in 1986; it is one of the earliest significant national scholarships focusing specifically on STEM fields. Ever since, this program has awarded about 11,616 scholarships in total.

2. SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program

Full Tuition + Stipend + Guaranteed Employment

• Award: Full tuition, annual stipend of approximately $30,000, paid summer internships, and guaranteed civilian employment with the DoW upon graduation
• Eligibility: U.S., Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, or UK citizens; 18 years or older by January 1, 2028; pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines
• Deadline: Typically December 

The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship is one of the most competitive STEM awards offered by the U.S. Department of War. It’s not just a scholarship—it’s a career launchpad. Applications open annually from August 1 to December 1. The program covers 24 specific fields that are critical to national security, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology.

3. NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP)

For Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds Committed to Biomedical Research

• Award: Up to $20,000 per academic year in tuition, educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses; renewable for up to 4 years
• Eligibility: U.S. citizen or permanent resident; minimum 3.3 GPA; certified as having “exceptional financial need” (EFN)
• Service Requirement: 10-week summer internship at NIH + one year of employment at an NIH laboratory for each year of funding
• Deadline: March 31, 2026

The National Institutes of Health offers competitive STEM scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioural, and social science health-related research. Awarded scholars must complete two paid NIH service obligations for each year of funding: a 10-week summer internship and one year of post-graduation lab work

4. Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship

$40,000 + Paid Summer Internship at NOAA

• Award: Up to $40,000 over two academic years plus a paid summer internship at a NOAA facility
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens; full-time sophomore students; minimum 3.0 GPA; majoring in STEM fields that support NOAA’s mission
• Deadline: Applications are open annually from September through January.

The Hollings Scholarship Program provides awards to successful undergraduate applicants, which include academic assistance of about $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. During the 10-week internship, interns will be paid $700 every week

5. BHW Women in STEM Scholarship

Empowering Women in Science and Technology

• Award: $3,000
• Eligibility: Women who are incoming freshmen or currently enrolled students pursuing undergraduate or master’s degrees in STEM fields at a U.S. school
• Deadline: April 15, 2026

The BHW Group awards this scholarship to women pursuing undergraduate or master’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. International students are free to apply as long as they are attending a US-based school. If your college is not a US-based organisation, you cannot apply at this time.

6. Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholar Program

$500–$5,000 + Career Services and Mentorship

• Award: $500–$5,000 based on relative need, plus access to career services, mentorship, leadership development, and exclusive conferences including the STEM Summit
• Eligibility: Hispanic heritage; U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA; minimum 2.5 GPA; full-time enrollment
• Deadline: February 15, 2026

Every year, HSF selects up to 10,000 outstanding students as HSF Scholars from a broad and talented pool of applicants with scholarships worth more than $30 million. As a HSF Scholar, you have access to a full range of invaluable Scholar Support Services, including career services, mentorship, leadership development, knowledge building, and wellness training.

7. UNCF STEM Scholars Program

Supporting Future STEM Leaders at HBCUs

• Award: Up to $2,500 for freshmen and sophomores; up to $5,000 for juniors and seniors annually; up to $25,000 total over undergraduate years
• Eligibility: High school seniors entering college as first-time freshmen in fall 2026; attending an HBCU or UNCF member institution; need-based
• Deadline: Still open

The UNCF STEM Scholarship Program is a ten-year initiative that is designed to identify and provide scholarship and academic support for a total of 500 talented African American high school students who have the aspiration to earn STEM degrees and to pursue careers in STEM fields.

8. AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship

For Indigenous Students in STEM

• Award: Up to $2,000
• Eligibility: Associate, bachelor’s, or graduate students; AISES members welcome to apply; indigenous heritage
• Deadline: April 30, 2026

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society awards this scholarship to students pursuing STEM degrees who are of American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, First Nation, and other indigenous peoples of North American heritage. With more than 5,000 students awarded already, AISES has provided over $12 million worth of scholarships. 

9. oSTEM Scholarship

Supporting LGBTQ+ Students in STEM

• Award: $2,500 (Community College), $5,000 (Undergraduate), plus partner-funded awards up to $4,500
• Eligibility: oSTEM membership (free); pursuing STEM degree; enrolled in accredited U.S., Canadian, or UK institution
• Deadline: May 18, 2026

oSTEM Scholarship Foundation proudly supports LGBTQ+ students and allies in STEM through general scholarships and partner-sponsored awards. The program is funded and supported by various corporate and nonprofit partners like Actalent, Tighe & Bond.

10. Out to Innovate Scholarship

For LGBTQ+ and Ally STEM Students

• Award: Up to $2,500
• Eligibility: LGBTQ+ or ally undergraduate students; pursuing a bachelor’s degree in STEM or STEM-related teaching fields
• Deadline: July 7, 2026

This scholarship provides financial assistance to LGBTQ+ and ally undergraduate students participating in programs or organisations that promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility. The scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and increased visibility of talented LGBTQ+ students in STEM careers. For the 2026-2027 academic year, Motorola Solutions Foundation has funded the Out to Innovate Scholarships for technology and engineering undergraduate students.

STEM Field Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Focus on these awards if you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior. They range from need-based aid to research-heavy fellowships—and several even include paid summer internships.

For nomination-based awards like Goldwater, your campus deadline is often 4–6 weeks earlier than the national date. Check with your university’s fellowship office today.

 

STEM FIELD SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Graduate STEM scholarships are not about paying tuition—they are about funding your intellectual independence. At this level, nearly all prestigious awards come with a full tuition waiver and a hefty annual living stipend, effectively making you a fully-funded researcher rather than a broke grad student. Below, we will review 11 graduate scholarships for STEM students in the US.

1. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

The Gold Standard of STEM Graduate Funding

• Award: Three-year annual stipend of $37,000 + $16,000 tuition allowance to the institution
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; must not have completed more than one academic year in a graduate program
• Deadline: Typically October 

Since 1952, NSF’s GRFP has recognised and supported outstanding graduate students pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM fields. The NSF GRFP was established to recruit and support individuals with the potential to make significant contributions in this field, including STEM education.  It encourages applications from the full spectrum of talent that the U.S. has to offer. For 2026–2027, NSF made offers and will award 2,500 fellowships. 

2. DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF)

For the Next Generation of Computational Scientists

• Award: $45,000 yearly stipend+ full tuition and required fees+ annual academic allowance; renewable for up to four years
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; pursuing doctoral degrees in fields using high-performance computing
• Deadline: January 15, 2026 (for 2026–2027 cycle)

Established in 1991 and funded by DOE’s Office of Science, this program trains top leaders in computational science through high-performance computing research. As of September 2026, the CSGF community will include more than 725 fellows and alumni. The program fosters a community of energetic and committed PhD students, alumni, DOE laboratory staff and other scientists who want to have an impact on the nation while advancing their research. Fellows come from diverse scientific and engineering disciplines but share a common interest in using computing in their research.

3. Hertz Fellowship

The Nation’s Most Prestigious PhD Award in Applied Science

• Award: Up to five years of financial support—stipend and full tuition equivalent (total up to $250,000)
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; pursuing doctoral degrees in applied sciences, engineering, or mathematics

Awarded through a rigorous selection process honed over eight decades, the Hertz Fellowship is one of the most prestigious graduate fellowships in the United States, providing up to five years of full funding valued at over $250,000 for doctoral students in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Administered by the Hertz Foundation, it awards fellows financial independence to pursue innovative research without university or donor restrictions

4. GEM Fellowship

For Underrepresented Students in Engineering and Science

• Award: $16,000 stipend + tuition support + paid summer internship; funding up to the 5th year of PhD
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; minimum 3.0 GPA; members of underrepresented groups in STEM; must apply to a minimum of 3 GEM Member Universities
• Deadline: November 14, 2026

The National GEM Consortium provides graduate fellowships to increase the number of minority students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering and science. The GEM Fellowship was designed to promote opportunities for individuals to enter industry at the graduate level in areas such as research and development, product development, and other high-level technical careers.

5. AAUW International Fellowships

For International Women Pursuing Graduate Study in the U.S.

• Award: $20,000 for master’s degree; $25,000 for doctorate
• Eligibility: Women who are non-U.S. citizens and not U.S. permanent residents; admitted or enrolled in first master’s or doctorate program; minimum 3.5 GPA
• Deadline: September 30, 2026

AAUW International Fellowships provides $20,000 to $50,000 to support non-U.S. citizen women pursuing full-time graduate study or postdoctoral research in the United States. This program is aimed at applicants dedicated to advancing women and girls; the program prioritises scholars who intend to return to their home countries to become leaders after the scholarship is over.

6. Churchill Scholarship

One Year of Master’s Study at Cambridge University

• Award: Full tuition and fees, living allowance, travel allowance, and special research funds
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens; seniors or graduates within past 12 months from participating institutions; minimum 3.7 GPA recommended
• Deadline: September 21, 2026 

The University of Alberta Churchill Cambridge Scholarship provides exceptional engineering graduates with full funding to pursue a PhD at Churchill College, University of Cambridge. Each award is valued at $64,000 USD annually; it covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and research

7. Fulbright STEM Awards

Global Research and Study Opportunities

• Award: Varies by program; generally covers tuition, living stipend, and travel
• Eligibility: Varies by program; U.S. students for overseas study; international students for U.S. study
• Deadline: September 15, 2026 

The Fulbright Program offers numerous opportunities for STEM scholars, including the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for international students pursuing master’s degrees in the U.S. and the Fulbright STEM Impact Award for research projects. Grants cover round-trip airfare, stipends, and health insurance.

8. Marshall Scholarship

Two Years of Graduate Study in the UK

• Award: Full tuition, living stipend, and travel for up to two years of graduate study
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens; hold first undergraduate degree from accredited U.S. institution
• Selection: 43 Marshall Scholars selected from more than 1,000 applicants in 2026

The Marshall Scholarship was created by an Act of the UK Parliament in 1953 as a gesture of gratitude for the post-WWII Marshall Plan. The program covers 100% of university tuition, housing fees, a monthly living allowance, and round-trip international flights. The scholarship was launched to enable intellectually distinguished young Americans to study at any university in the United Kingdom. In 2026, the UK Government increased funding to £5 million per year and added 10 new STEM-focused areas.

9. Rhodes Scholarship

Postgraduate Study at the University of Oxford

• Award: Fully funded postgraduate study at the University of Oxford
• Eligibility: Outstanding young people from around the globe; strong academic record; leadership potential; commitment to service
• Deadline: October 7, 2026

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded postgraduate award to study at the University of Oxford. Open to all disciplines, including STEM fields, the award covers tuition, a living stipend (e.g., ~£20,400 per year), and flights. For U.S. applicants targeting the 2026 academic year, the national application portal opens on July 1, 2026.

10. National Defence Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG )

The Department of Defence’s Premier STEM Fellowship

• Award: Full tuition and fees, a monthly stipend totalling $43,200 annually**, and up to **$1,600 for medical insurance—all for up to three years of support
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. dual citizens; must have completed undergraduate studies before the fellowship year; must be applying to, accepted by, or currently enrolled (within the first 2 years) at an accredited U.S. graduate institution; must have at least three remaining years in the graduate degree program at the time of application
• Research Areas: Broad disciplines include Aeronautical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Biosciences, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Quantum Science, and more
• Deadline: November 15, 2026

Established by Congress in 1989 and sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, the NDSEG Fellowship is one of the most competitive and prestigious graduate fellowships in the country. It’s designed to encourage promising U.S. scientists to pursue doctoral degrees in research disciplines critical to the Defence mission. Over 4,400 fellowships have been awarded from more than 70,000 applications.

11. SWE Graduate Scholarships

Society of Women Engineers Graduate Funding

• Award: Varies by scholarship
• Eligibility: Graduate students pursuing engineering degrees; many scholarships open to all genders
• Deadline: February 2, 2026 (for collegiate/graduate scholars)

Women pursuing ABET-accredited graduate degrees in engineering, technology, or computer science can secure $1,000 to $15,000 through the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Applicants submit just one form via the SWE Scholarship Application Portal to compete for multiple corporate-sponsored awards.

Your Next Strategic Move To Securing STEM Field Scholarships

Let’s be real—applying to scholarships is a numbers game, but it’s also a strategy game. Here’s how to win:

1. Start Early. Many of these deadlines fall between October and March. Mark your calendar now.

2. Apply to Multiple. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. The students who win are the ones who apply to 10, 15, even 20 scholarships.

3. Tailor Your Application. A generic essay won’t cut it. Research each scholarship’s mission and values. Make them see you in their vision.

4. Leverage Your Unique Story. Whether you’re first-generation, from an underrepresented background, or have a unique research angle—that’s your superpower. Use it.

5. Follow Instructions Exactly. Miss a deadline? Use the wrong format? That’s an automatic rejection. Attention to detail matters.

Ready to fund your STEM future? The money is there. The opportunities are there. Now it’s up to you to take the first step.

Which scholarship are you applying to first? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your story.