The College of Natural Sciences offers assistance to students in identifying and applying for nationally competitive scholarship and fellowship opportunities. This page is designed to help you begin your search for these prestigious awards. Listed below are nationally competitive awards that are relevant for students in the sciences, along with summary information for each award. Full details are available at the funding organization web sites.
Read all application instructions carefully. Many of these national scholarships and fellowships require a campus nomination or endorsement before student applications are forwarded to the final levels of competition. The campus deadlines are listed below, when applicable.
Please also be sure to visit the Office of Distinguished and Postgraduate Scholarships (ODPS). ODPS is a newly created office offering support to students interested in the types of scholarship and fellowships listed below.
Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Award
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) award is for outstanding students in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural or applied sciences who have shown initiative, creativity and excellence. Scholarships are awarded to students who have the intention of pursuing research or advance their field upon completion of their final degree. Those intending to pursue a practice in professional medicine are not eligible for the Astronaut Scholarship. However, students intending to perform biomedical research are eligible to apply. Special consideration is not given to students majoring in aeronautical/astronautical engineering or those intending to pursue careers as astronauts. A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition. The Astronaut Scholarship is worth up to $15,000.
Information on the CNS preliminary application process for the ASF 2023 can be found here. CNS students interested in being considered for nomination must complete the CNS preliminary application processs.
Questions? Contact scholarships@cns.utexas.edu.
College of Natural Sciences Deadline: March 6, 2023 (11:59PM Central)
Campus Deadline: March 24, 2023
National Deadline: March 31, 2023
Churchill Scholarship
The Churchill Scholarship offers U.S. citizens of exceptional academic talent and outstanding achievement the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in engineering, mathematics, or sciences at the University of Cambridge, Churchill College. The scholarship covers all tuition and fees, and offers generous travel and living allowances. A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the Churchill Foundation. Students should complete the application process by the campus deadline listed below. Please read the campus instructions page for more information on the applicaton process. Click here to visit the Churchill Scholarship website.
Campus Deadline: October 3, 2022 (11:59PM Central Time)
National Deadline: November 3, 2022 (5PM Eastern Time)
Fulbright Grants – Student Program
The Fulbright Program for U.S. Students aims to foster international cooperation in education, research and cultural exchange. The program supports a student’s work abroad for one academic year (typically nine months), and operates in more than 140 countries. Scholarships are available to support research and training in nearly all disciplines, including sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, professional fields, and performing and creative arts. There are also English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grants that allow students to work with English teachers in a number of different countries. The program provides funds for travel to and from the host country, a stipend for living expenses, and some additional support. A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition. Please the Texas Global - Fulbright for more information.
Campus Deadline: August 26, 2022
National Deadline: October 11, 2022
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from outside the UK to study at the University of Cambridge. The program aims to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. Gates Cambridge Scholarships are highly-competitive, full-cost awards for graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Students apply directly to the funding organization. No UT Austin campus nomination is required. More information can be found here.
Application Deadline: October 12, 2022 (for applicants who are both US citizens and normally resident in the United States)
Goldwater Scholarship
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship provides $7,500 per year for educational expenses to two groups of students—those who will be college juniors and those who will be college seniors in the 2023-2024 academic year. Applicants must have outstanding potential and intend to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition.
Click HERE for Information on the CNS preliminary application process for the Goldwater 2023. Students should not complete the Pre-Application on the Goldwater site. Only students officially nominated by CNS will be required to complete the Goldwater Pre-Application. The Goldwater Pre-Application cannot serve as a substitute for CNS’ preliminary application and it will not be available to CNS during the nominee selection process.
Questions? Contact scholarships@cns.utexas.edu.
College of Natural Sciences Deadline: November 1, 2022 (11:59PM Central)
Campus Deadline: January 20, 2023
National Deadline: January 27, 2023
Marshall Scholarship
Marshall Scholarships support U.S. citizens of high ability for one or two years of graduate study in any discipline at a college or university in the United Kingdom. The scholarship aims to strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments, and their institutions. The award covers educational costs, living expenses, and provides support for travel. The Marshall Scholarship seeks applicants with outstanding intellectual, personal and public service accomplishments.
A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition. Please see the Office of Distinguished and Postgraduate Scholarships website for more information on UT Austin's nomination process.
Campus Deadline: August 19, 2022 (5:00PM CT)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. Fellowships provide the student with a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution), as well as access to opportunities for professional development available to NSF-supported graduate students. Fellowships may only be used for an eligible graduate degree program at an academic institution accredited in, and having a campus located in, the US, its territories, possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Students apply directly to the NSF. No UT Austin campus nomination is required. Visit the NSF GRFP website for more information.
Deadline: October 17 - 21, 2022 (depending on discipline)
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship, the oldest international fellowship, brings outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford. A Rhodes scholarship offers the opportunity to study at Oxford University for one or two years, with all tuition and fees paid and a living allowance provided. Intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard is the first quality required of applicants, but they will also be expected to demonstrate integrity of character, interest in and concern for others, leadership ability, and the energy to fully use their talents.
A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition. Please see the Office of Distinguished and Postgraduate Scholarships wesbite for more information on UT Austin's nomination process.
Campus Deadline: August 19, 2022 (5:00PM CT)
Schwarzman Scholarship
The Schwarzman Scholarship provides full funding to pursue a one-year master's degree - Public Policy, Economics and Business, or International Relations - at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. The University representative will write one of your letters of recommendation, so you will need to be in close touch. The application will be open from April through September.
Deadline: Usually late September - please see Schwarzman Scholars site for deadline information.
Truman Scholarship
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is a $30,000 merit-based scholarship awarded to undergraduate students who wish to attend graduate or professional school in preparation for careers in government, the non-profit sector, or elsewhere in public service at a leadership level. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection. The Truman Scholarship has a service requirement. Scholars are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following completion of a Foundation funded graduate degree program as a condition of receiving Truman funds. Interested students must receive an endorsement from UT Austin in order to be considered. Please see the Office of Distinguished and Postgraduate Scholarships site for more information on UT Austin's endorsement process.
Campus Deadline: October 28, 2022
Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. Native Americans and Alaska Natives working on policy issues in Indian Country or pursuing health-related careers, as well as undergraduates interested in conservation and environmental issues are strongly encouraged to apply. The Udall Scholarship is worth up to $7,000. A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition. Information on the CNS preliminary application process for the Udall 2023 can be found here.
Campus Deadline EXTENDED: February 13, 2023 (11:59 PM CST)
National Deadline: March 2, 2023 (11:59 PM MST)
University Co-op / George H. Mitchell Undergraduate Student Awards for Academic Excellence
The University of Texas at Austin, with the generous support of the University Co-op, will recognize up to five undergraduate students for superior scholarly or creative achievement. Four recipients will receive awards of $5,000 each and one will receive the top prize of $7,000. The Mitchell Awards Selection Committee consists of university faculty members who choose the recipients. Please see the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost website for more information.
