Women are entering college at higher rates than men, but in STEM fields, women are largely underrepresented. For women who choose to pursue these careers regardless, there are many scholarships available to supplement their studies. Here we discuss a few of the more prestigious scholarships for women in STEM fields.
Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize
The Schafer Prize was established in 1990 by the Association for Women in Mathematics former AWM president and founding member Alice T. Schafer, who contributed a great deal to women in mathematics throughout her career. This prize is reserved for undergraduate students and requires a nomination from a AWM member. Awards range from $250-$1000.
Society for Women Engineers Scholarships
The SWE Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to women admitted to accredited baccalaureate or graduate programs, in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology and computer science at an ABET-accredited institution. They provide scholarships for both traditional and non-traditional/reentry students in amounts ranging from $1,000-$15,000 and may be renewable.
Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
The Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology was founded in 1994 by computer scientist Anita Borg. It aims to increase the impact of women on all aspects of technology. The institute establishes collaborations with various donor to fund scholarships for high achieving women interested in studying computer science or computer engineering. Awards are for $10,000.
There are also a series of graduate and professional level fellowships for women re-entering their study or research following leaves related to raising families or other urgent family issues. These fellowships are as discussed below.
Association for Women in Science Undergraduate and Graduate Educational Awards
The Association for Women in Science is a global network that promotes solutions that advance women in STEM. They offer $1,000 scholarships to support undergraduate and graduate education, including one award reserved for a student who has interrupted their education to raise a family.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)- Reentry Programs
NIH has programs open to both men and women looking to reestablish a research career after taking time off to attend to family matters. This program will provide administrative supplements to existing NIH research grants for the purpose of supporting full-time or part-time research by these individuals to update their existing research skills and knowledge, while contributing to the scope of the original project. It is understood that at the end of the supplement, the researcher will be in a position to apply for either a K or R grant. Postdoctoral scientists can apply for up to 4 years of mentored support.
Sloan Foundation Pre-Tenure Leave Fellowships
The Sloan Research Fellowships promotes fundamental research by early-career scientists and promising scholars. The foundation provides up to $20,000 in matching funds to regular pre-tenure tenure-track facultyat selected institutions in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering, or technology who were faced with urgent family responsibilities so that they can take a leave with salary or, after a leave, resume research.
Wellcome Trust Research Career Re-entry Fellowships in Basic Biomedical Science
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation that supports scientists and researchers. This award supports Postdoctoral scientists in the European Union who have decided to return to a research career after a break of at least two years for family related matters. These funds are intended to help them reenter and reestablish their careers.