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.

In the Office for Honors, Research and International Study, we offer advising and workshops to help students prepare competitive applications. Meet with us at any point in your college career to learn about the steps you can take to prepare for these prestigious opportunities.

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Award

UT Austin has been invited to nominate students for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s (ASF) award, a $10,000 scholarship for students in engineering and natural or applied sciences who exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in their chosen fields.

The $10,000 ASF scholarship is open to students in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. (Special consideration is not given to aeronautical/astronautical engineering students or those intending to pursue careers as astronauts.) ASF is seeking students with excellent grades who have participated in lab and research work in their field. Nominees must be US citizens. Students intending to pursue a practice in professional medicine are not eligible for the scholarship. However, those intending to perform biomedical research are eligible. The award is for students in their junior and senior years, so scholarship candidates must be sophomores or juniors at time of nomination. Students do not apply directly for this award. Your faculty supervisor must nominate you. Procedures for nominating students and more details about the award are found here.

Campus Deadline: February 8, 2013
National Deadline: February 22, 2013

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. More

Campus Deadline: October 5, 2012
National Deadline: November 13, 2012

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. More

Campus Deadline: September 1, 2012
National Deadline: October 2012

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

Deadline, U.S. citizens: October 15, 2012
Deadline, non-U.S. citizens: December 1, 2012

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 2012–2013 academic year. Applicants must have outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition. More

College of Natural Sciences Deadline: October 31 2012
Campus Deadline: December 16 2012
National Deadline: January 31 2013

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. More

Campus Deadline: August 24, 2012
National Deadline: early October 2012

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. Fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $30,000 along with a $10,500 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees, opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution they choose. Students apply directly to the NSF. No UT Austin campus nomination is required. More

Deadline: November 2012 – depending on discipline

Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international fellowships, bring 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. More

Campus Deadline: August 24, 2012
National Deadline: early October 3, 2012

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. A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition. More

Campus Deadline: October 2012 (date TBD)
National Deadline: February 2013

Udall Scholarship

The Udall Scholarship is awarded to future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice and economics. The foundation also supports future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in Native American health care and tribal public policy. Each scholarship provides up to $5,000 for the student’s junior or senior year. Honorable Mentions will receive a $350 award. A campus committee selects UT Austin’s nominees before applications are forwarded to the national competition. More

Campus Deadline: February 2013
National Deadline: March 2013

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, recognizes up to seven UT undergraduates each Spring for superior scholarly or creative achievement. Three students receive awards of $2,000 each, three students receive awards of $5,000 each, and one student is awarded the grand prize of $20,000. The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost provides a concurrent award of half the value of each student's award to the academic department in which the scholarly work was supervised. Recipients are chosen by the Co-op Awards Selection Committee composed of University faculty. More