National Science Foundation program awards up to $10,000 scholarships to Idaho State University STEM students

All incoming and current biochemistry and chemistry majors at Idaho State University are encouraged to apply for National Science Foundation (NSF) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, S-Stem, scholarships. Applicants are awarded up to $10,000 annually up to four years.

The ISU Department of Chemistry made a conscientious effort to apply for the grant because its personnel felt it was the kind of grant that could help ISU students. There is one grant awarded at a time for a period of five years.

“We want to encourage young people who are in university or in high school or younger to start considering a STEM career,” said Joshua Pak, chemistry professor.

The goal of the NSF S-STEM Scholarship is to help promising students complete a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry or chemistry by providing financial assistance. In addition to this support the program aims to help foster a chemistry community that can equip students with the skills and credentials required to move toward a thriving chemistry career.

“We feel the first five years of the scholarship have been incredibly successful in terms of being able to produce students who are successful and add diversity into the whole picture,” Pak said. “We are very proud that more than 50 percent of STEM participants are female and 20 percent are ethnic minorities.”

The Department of Chemistry hopes that by providing a grant like this it will encourage students to stay in school and not drop out or leave ISU. They are also hoping to create a sense of community.

The scholarship must be applied for by March 17. Late applications will be considered until May 2 or until funds are exhausted. For more information about the scholarship or to apply visit isu.edu/chem or isu.edu/scholar.