We value excellence in all areas of scholarly activity and offer several fellowships and awards.
Most scholarships are due in Spring. To learn more about UArizona Scholarships visit: ScholarshipUniverse
Neuroscience Scholarships
Neuroscience Awards
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
Outstanding Senior Award
Other Scholarship & Award opportunities
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
Each department of the College of Science may nominate ONE graduating senior who has shown outstanding achievement in independent, undergraduate research for the College of Science Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award. The nominee will receive your departmental Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award to be presented at the College of Science Awards Event. The CoS Awards Committee will select the CoS Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award recipient from among the departmental nominees.
In recognition of the fact that different disciplines have different academic and research cultures, departments are free to define their own criteria for selecting their nominees. In general, the student’s work should be a significant contribution and show originality, creativity, and a level of independence appropriate to the discipline.
In nominating their outstanding senior for the College of Science Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award, the nomination letter should address the independence and/or initiative exhibited by the student; the significance of the research (for example, contribution to knowledge base, significance of the problem, novelty of the research idea, and/or impact on the discipline); and the creativity and/or level of skill (for example, technical, analytical, interpretive, programming, communication, and/or resourcefulness) shown by the student in conducting the research.
It is not intended that this award will duplicate the Outstanding Senior Award. Although it is possible that both awards might be given to the same student, the criteria for this award do not include a GPA cutoff.
Most scholarships are due in Spring. To learn more about UArizona Scholarships visit: ScholarshipUniverse.
Outstanding Senior Award
EVERY FALL AND SPRING SEMESTER, CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY SELECTS A GRADUATING SENIOR TO RECEIVE THE OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR AWARD.
Candidates for this award excel in their studies, as evidenced by having a GPA of 3.5 or better, are involved in research, and are recognized as a leader within the campus or the larger community. The balance between these different aspects will vary, but every nominee is typically strong in all three areas. Students may self-nominate, but candidates who have strong endorsements from chemistry faculty are most strongly considered. Application details and forms are sent to qualified students. Once the winner is chosen at the Department level, the application packet is forwarded to the College of Science for college-wide competition. At a special College reception, the Department and College award recipients are presented with their awards. Each recipient is also mentioned in the Commencement Booklet at the College of Science graduation ceremony. The student who is selected by the College of Science as "Outstanding Senior" has the honor of addressing the audience and fellow graduates at commencement!
Most scholarships are due in Spring. To learn more about UArizona Scholarships visit: ScholarshipUniverse.
Undergraduate Research Awards
Hildebrand Scholarship
John G. Hildebrand Endowment in Neuroscience
Summer Research Stipend
The Department of Neuroscience will award up to two (2) stipends* for summer research at the University of Arizona. The stipend will provide support for highly worthy undergraduates to pursue summer research. Award recipients must commit to a program of full-time summer research (12 weeks) between May and August.
Preference shall be given to students who conduct their research projects in the Department of Neuroscience and who intend to pursue graduate study in a doctoral research program in neuroscience or a related life-sciences field, but not to health-sciences professional school such as medical or dental school. Preference may be given to students with financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Eligibility: University of Arizona (UA) undergraduate students who are majors or pre-majors in NSCS, in good academic standing (cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher) who have been accepted to do summer research in a laboratory at the UA shall be eligible to receive this award. Completion of 6 or more credits during the Spring the application is submitted and enrollment for a minimum of 6 credit hours for the subsequent Fall is required.
Link to Spring 2025 announcement and application to come.
View past scholars and hear their stories
Tolbert Scholarship
Leslie P Tolbert Endowment in Neuroscience
Research Stipend
The Leslie P Tolbert Endowment in Neuroscience Research Stipend seeks to provide financial support to undergraduate students to pursue authentic research, under faculty mentorship, in the biological basis of brain function. This Fund is intended to enable the students to engage deeply in authentic neuroscience research and research-related activities. Supported students will be expected to do their research in the laboratories of tenure-track faculty at The University of Arizona (the "UA") who investigate any aspect of neuroscience, from molecular to cognitive, at the biological level. This Fund may be used to provide support for research activities during the academic year or in the summer months. In addition to supporting UA-based research directly, it may be used to travel for field work or a research-related conference or for conducting research at a non-UA colleague's laboratory. If used to attend a conference, it is not necessary that student present a talk or poster at the conference.
Recipients shall be undergraduate students at UA who are pre-majors or majors in the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (NSCS) major or in related majors (e.g., Molecular and Cellular Biology, Psychology, Physiological Sciences) that allow them to work in neuroscience laboratories. Highest priority will be given to students in NSCS. Students are eligible for funding in multiple years but must reapply and go through the selection process prior to each award.
The award is given on a bi-annual basis.
Link to announcement and Spring 2025 application to come.
Galileo Circle Scholarship
The Galileo Circle is a society of individuals whose support is critical to the continued excellence in the sciences at The University of Arizona. Annually, funding from the Galileo Circle is set aside for student scholarships in the College of Science.
SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
Currently declared as a Chemistry & Biochemistry Major (students graduating in May of each year are also eligible).
Minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA.
Completion of at least one semester of research experience.
APPLICATION PROCESS
A completed Galileo Circle Scholarship Information Form;
A personal statement (one page maximum; include current research interests and future goals);
A resume (including education, honors/awards, grants/scholarships, research experience, professional affiliations, publications, community service); and
A letter of support from a College of Science faculty member.
Applications are usually available in early spring of each year.
Newell and Beth Younggren Scholarship in Biological Sciences
The Newell and Beth Younggren Scholarship in Biological Sciences was established to support undergraduate students in the College of Science who possess interest and aptitude in the biological sciences but who have limited financial resources to attend the University of Arizona. Applicants must:
be full-time undergraduate majors in the College of Science who have taken "Introductory Biology I & II" courses and passed both with grades of B or better;
be in good academic standing with minimum GPA of 3.0;
provide evidence of financial need as determined by OSFA;
complete an application with personal statement, letter of support of College of Science faculty member, and statement of financial need; and
demonstrate aptitude and interest in biological sciences. e.g. advanced coursework, involvement in outreach, leadership in clubs or groups.
Those who can demonstrate interest in a future career in teaching in the biological sciences will be given special consideration. The College of Science Scholarship Committee selects, and the Dean approves. Renewal considered on a case by case basis. Most scholarships are due in Spring. To learn more about UArizona Scholarships visit: Scholarship Universe.
