NSF America’s Seed Fund
seedfund.nsf.gov
Through America’s Seed Fund, the National Science Foundation provides early-stage research and development funding to tech startups hoping to bring ground-breaking, unproven technology to market. This funding is not a loan and is non-dilutive (it does not require an exchange like equity or a board seat). This is a phased program and funding is sequential, with awards in amounts of approximately $250,000 to $2 million; the NSF funds over $200 million in awards each year. Innovators and entrepreneurs across most technology sectors can benefit from America’s Seed Fund. The funding is earmarked for U.S.-based startups focused on developing technology. All funded work must take place in the U.S. and at least 50 percent of the company’s equity must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The project’s principal investigator (tech lead) is not required to have an advanced degree but must be legally employed at least 20 hours a week by the company seeking funding. To find out more about this opportunity to secure funding, including information and guidance on how to pitch your project, visit the America’s Seed Fund website.
3M.com
Students participating in a Frontline Internship have the opportunity to experience a real-life professional role in one of 3M’s more than 20 divisions. This internship is an educational partnership between 3M and participating universities. Areas currently offering Frontline Internships include business analytics, sales, and marketing. This 11-week internship occurs over the summer but kicks off in the spring with the annual Frontline Conference, held at one of the company’s partner universities. Part of this paid internship is a two-week orientation and training program; housing for interns is arranged and costs are subsidized.
aises.org/scholarships
The AISES scholarship program provides students with opportunities to compete for a range of funding sources. Sponsors like Oracle, Splunk, BNSF Railway, Intel, and VGT, among others, have supported AISES students through scholarships.
smartscholarship.org
The SMART Scholarship for Service Program offers funding to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students who have demonstrated a special aptitude for excelling in STEM fields. Students are also provided opportunities to continue their research in Department of Defense civil service roles following graduation. Participants receive tuition and other expenses, as well as a cash award and health insurance allowance. The program’s goal is to produce the next generation of DoD science and technology leaders.
thegatesscholarship.org
Designed to support underrepresented, first-time college students, the Gates Scholarship fully covers financial needs not met by other funding sources, whether tuition, room and board, or textbooks and fees. The Gates Scholarship (pre-2017 it was known as the Gates Millennium Scholarship) is applicable at accredited institutions of higher learning, including online programs. Scholarship awards vary but average about $12,000. Scholars also benefit from mentoring, career counseling, and networking with thousands of past scholars.
hopamountain.org
Offered cooperatively with Salish Kootenai College and Blackfeet Community College, the Hopa Mountain Native Science Fellows Program is open to Indigenous and Latino students entering or already attending a tribal college or university in Montana. Applicants should be pursing an undergraduate or graduate degree in earth or atmospheric sciences, natural resource management, hydrology, fisheries, wildlife management, agriculture, forestry, or soil science. Recipients of fellowships, which range up to $5,000, are matched with a mentor and work with a community-based environmental science or geosciences organization that matches their career interests.
indspire.ca
This national program in Canada invests in the post-secondary education of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students across the country in partnership with Indigenous as well as public and private funding sources. Students benefit from bursaries, scholarships, and awards, which are matched by the Government of Canada.
jkcf.org/ysp
This pre-college national scholarship program provides funds for high-performing seventh-grade students with financial need to attend a rigorous private high school. Additionally, this five-year program provides academic and college counseling through high school graduation — each Young Scholar is assigned an on-staff educational advisor. The foundation also offers Cooke-sponsored summer programs and internships and provides financial support for enrichment opportunities (such as art and music lessons) and year-round community programming. Young Scholars also receive special consideration for Cooke Foundation College Scholarships of up to $40,000 per year.
ncai.org
Young people ages 15 to 24 are eligible to join the NCAI Youth Commission. Youth members meet with tribal leaders and other tribal youth from around the country to address issues and challenges facing Indian Country. The commission is also a place to develop leadership skills and network while shaping the future and providing perspectives on policies to tribal leaders and government agencies. Meetings are held biweekly to develop youth-led conferences and summits held three times a year. Elections for the commission are held biannually for a two-year term. To be considered, submit a letter of intent via Google Forms at ncai.org. A completed application, resume, and letter of recommendation are also required.
nativeforward.org
Now celebrating 50 years of supporting the dreams of Indigenous students, the Native Forward Scholars Fund (formerly the American Indian Graduate Center) provides scholarship funding and support services and resources to help navigate the higher education landscape. Native Forward is the largest direct provider of scholarships in the U.S., awarding more than $15 million annually. The 20,000 students who have benefited in the past form a strong alumni network that offers mentoring and community support.
cds.coe.hawaii.edu/hokulani
This high-tech program is aimed at creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian pre-college students to engage in STEM. Project Hokulani is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and based at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, along with satellite campuses. The one-year program offers a paid internship during the summer, academic enrichment in STEM through bimonthly sessions focused on science exploration throughout the academic year, and college transition support.
peacecorps.gov
Serve your country and share your cultural values while tackling community challenges in a country where your service is needed. During their service time of two years (plus three months of training), Peace Corps volunteers frequently learn a new language along with valuable skills. The Peace Corps offers a wide variety of project assignments in more than 60 countries and emphasizes that each volunteer — from students to career changers to retirees — and each life-changing experience is unique. The Peace Corps is committed to assembling a volunteer corps that reflects
the diversity of our nation.