NOAA Scholarships for Alumni
NOAA’s Office of Education has several scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Applications and materials are available online at the following websites:
Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000 per year) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year. The internship between the first and second years of the award provides the Scholars with “hands-on”/ practical educational training experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel funds to attend a mandatory Hollings Scholarship Program orientation, conferences where students present a paper or poster, and a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. citizenship.
- Full-time status as a college sophomore at an accredited college or university within the United States or U.S. territories.
- Cumulative and semester/quarter GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) in all completed undergraduate courses and in the major field of study.
- Majoring in a discipline area related to oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, or education, and supportive of the purposes of NOAA’s programs and mission, e.g., biological, social and physical sciences; mathematics; engineering; computer and information sciences; and teacher education.
Educational Partnership Program (EPP) Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The Undergraduate Scholarship Program provides an opportunity for rising junior and senior students to study disciplines relating to the NOAA’s mission. Students attending Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) (Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaskan-Native Serving Institutions, and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions) receive appointments to approved NOAA offices and sites upon acceptance to the program
The goal of the Undergraduate Scholars Program is to increase the number of students who undertake course work and graduate with degrees in targeted academic fields integral to NOAA’s mission. This program targets students who have completed their sophomore year, attending minority serving institutions (MSIs), and have recently declared, or about to declare a major in atmospheric, oceanic, or environmental disciplines that support these sciences.
Educational Partnership Program (EPP) Graduate Sciences Program
The Graduate Sciences Program (GSP) is aimed primarily at increasing opportunities for students in NOAA-related fields to pursue research and educational training in atmospheric, environmental, remote sensing and oceanic sciences at minority serving institutions (MSI) when possible. The GSP offers between two years (master’s candidates) to four years (doctoral students) of NOAA-related research and training opportunities.

