Scholarships

The Out to Innovate™ Scholarships, established in 2011, are intended for LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs. The scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and increased visibility of talented LGBTQ+ students in STEM careers. We are pleased to announce that Motorola Solutions Foundation has funded the Out to Innovate Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year for technology and engineering undergraduate students. BHE Foundation has funded several $5000 scholarships for engineering students. And individual philanthropy has funded two general STEM scholarships for $3000 (one for undergrad, and one for grad).

We have a new permanent addition to our scholarship portfolio: The Amy A. Ross Scholarship in Bioscience. Applicants to this scholarship must demonstrate a commitment to furthering LGBTQ+ visibility, diversity, and inclusion in the biosciences. This is a $2000 scholarship.

The scholarship application portal for the 2024/2025 academic year is now closed.  Applications submitted while the portal was open are now in review.  We will announce the scholarship recipients for the 2024/2025 academic year in early August, 2024.

Scholarships to date have been awarded to:

Scholarship Guidelines and Eligibility

The mission of scholarship program is to:

  • Award scholarships to LGBTQ+ students currently enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) or STEM-related teaching fields.
  • Honor students who support a creative educational community that increases the visibility and the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ and supportive students
  • Encourage students to be out in their careers and support diversity in the STEM workforce

Award Guidelines:

  • Scholarship awards will be paid in the Fall semester/quarter only.
  • Scholarship availability depends on funding, and might not be offered every year. Some years will offer more scholarships than other years
  • All awards must be used in support of recipient’s education or research.

Eligibility:

  • Successful completion of a minimum of two years of post-high school education at an accredited U.S. college or university
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4-point scale.
  • A declared major in an accredited STEM or STEM-related teaching field. STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and is defined in detail in this document.
  • Identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Be an active supporter of and participant in programs or organizations that promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility
  • Students must be eligible for fall term registration at an accredited U.S. college or university and must not be under disciplinary sanction.

How to apply:

  • July 2024: The application portal for the 2024/2025 academic year is now closed.  Applications submitted while the portal was open are now in review.  We will announce the scholarship recipients for the 2024/2025 academic year in early August, 2024.
  • The application process has three sections: profile, application, and references. The profile section tells us contact information about you. The application form involves scholastic, demographic, and financial information AND a 1000 word max personal statement. The reference request section asks you for contact information for at least two people who have agreed write a letter of recommendation for you. One of these references must be a faculty member who is familiar with your academic accomplishments; the other reference may be someone (a different faculty member, a volunteer supervisor, a mentor, a colleague) who is familiar with your community/volunteer activities.
  • Incomplete or late application submissions will not be evaluated.
  • Applications submitted via email or outside the application cycle window will not be evaluated.

Questions:

Contact the Out to Innovate Scholarship Program Coordinator at: scholarships at noglstp dot org