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 have been reviewed, and the winners have been announced.

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 will be paid directly to the recipient's university, and must be used in support of recipient’s education (Tuition, fees, books, study materials such as computers, research supplies, research conference support). 

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.
  • Beginning 2025, this scholarship will be available to undergraduates only. Graduate students are no longer eligible for the Out to Innovate scholarships. Instead, please consider applying for a Fellowship.

How to apply:

  • The application portal for the 2024/2025 academic year is now closed.  The next application cycle will be for the 2025/2026 academic year. The application portal for the 2025/2026 academic year will be open mid-April through the first Saturday of June 2025.
  • 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