Best Grants for Science Research in Delaware

Delaware colleges, universities, and research institutions conducting collaborative STEM research can access funding through the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR RII-FEC program. Eligible teams must include investigators from at least two EPSCoR jurisdictions and may receive US $1,000,000 - US $1,500,000 to build sustainable, diverse research infrastructure and capacity in areas like chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, and engineering.

Research institutions in Delaware and other NIH IDeA-eligible states can seek funding to build biomedical research capacity, including facilities, start-up packages, and research administration support. The National Institutes of Health COBRE-D program supports early-career investigator recruitment and mentoring as part of a long-term institutional vision for competitive biomedical science research.

Universities and research institutions conducting biology and health-related science research in Delaware and other IDeA states can access funding through the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence program. The National Institutes of Health supports statewide networks that build biomedical research capacity, mentor faculty and students, and strengthen institutional research infrastructure to foster biomedical research careers.

Universities and research institutions conducting undergraduate science research in Delaware can access funding through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Grants from National Science Foundation help Delaware chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, and related STEM fields engage undergraduates in meaningful research projects, either through dedicated REU Sites or supplements to existing NSF-funded awards, with awards from US $5,000 - US $500,000.

Delaware higher education institutions and organizations serving STEM undergraduates can access funding through the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to plan partnerships that improve pathways into STEM graduate education. Planning grants up to US $75,000 support multi-institution efforts to assess barriers, design collaborations, and strengthen inclusive STEM research and education environments, especially for broad-access and two-year colleges.

Delaware science researchers at EPSCoR-eligible institutions can access funding to build STEM research capacity and advance their careers through extended collaborations at premier research centers. Delaware science organizations and faculty may be eligible for the National Science Foundation EPSCoR Research Fellows program, which supports research infrastructure, workforce development, and trainee participation in STEM fields.

Focused on STEM higher education partnerships, Alfred P Sloan Foundation invites Delaware colleges, universities, and eligible nonprofit partners to pilot efforts improving pathways to STEM graduate study. Nonprofit two- and four-year institutions and consortia, plus aligned partners, can seek up to US $250,000 for 1–2 year seed projects assessing and reducing systemic barriers in STEM fields.

Nonprofit U.S. colleges and universities collaborating to expand equitable STEM pathways, including institutions in Delaware, can apply for Alfred P. Sloan Foundation implementation grants up to US $500,000. Funding supports 2–3 year partnerships between undergraduate and graduate STEM programs that remove systemic barriers to master’s and doctoral degrees, especially for students at broad-access and high-Pell institutions.

Graduate students conducting science research on drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health in Delaware and beyond can apply for the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship, which awards US $3,000 for impactful research. Focused on water industry challenges, American Water Works Association seeks projects with actionable, timely outcomes that may benefit scientific fields like chemistry, biology, and earth science.

Delaware science research organizations and institutions can access funding through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation’s Prof. Rahamimoff Travel Grants for Young Scientists to support PhD student research visits. Grants provide US $6,000 for U.S. or Israeli PhD students to conduct supervised research trips of up to two months in eligible scientific fields between the two countries.

Delaware science researchers starting independent careers and collaborating with U.S. and Israeli partners can access funding for two-year basic research projects across fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science. Delaware science organizations and institutions can access funding through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, with junior principal investigators eligible for up to US $90,000 each.

Undergraduate natural science majors of Polish descent studying full time in the U.S., including students from Delaware, can receive scholarship support for tuition and related study costs. Grants from the Kosciuszko Foundation provide US $5,000 to one eligible freshman, sophomore, or junior in fields like physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, earth science, or biochemistry.

Cherokee Nation citizens studying physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, nursing, engineering, or mathematics may be eligible for this one-year scholarship supporting higher education costs, including science research, from Cherokee Nation Foundation. Grants from Cherokee Nation Foundation help Delaware and other U.S. students who reside within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area pursue advanced STEM degrees.

Women pursuing degrees in biology, chemistry, physics, or human or animal medicine can receive scholarship support for post-secondary education, including students from Delaware. Grants from Battle Creek Community Foundation help cover total cost of attendance, with funds paid directly to educational institutions for eligible U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens.

Students pursuing degrees in engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or business who are high school seniors in Washington State can receive US $1,000 - US $3,000 through the Lambeth Family Scholarship. Seattle Foundation provides this renewable support, which may benefit Delaware science-focused students seeking models of STEM scholarship opportunities.

Researchers and research institutions conducting NIH-relevant quantitative science and engineering studies involving human subjects can receive mentored career development support, including protected research time. Focused on integrating fields like mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, chemistry, and engineering with health and disease, this K25 award may benefit Delaware science researchers pursuing biomedical and health-related projects.

Graduating seniors pursuing physical science majors can receive renewable scholarship support for accredited post-secondary study, including fields like chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth science. With a mission to strengthen education, Daviess County Community Foundation provides US $4,170 awards to Washington Community and North Daviess High School students in the upper third of their class.

Delaware universities, research institutions, and other eligible applicants can seek US $50,000 - US $5,000,000 to conduct fundamental and applied science research through the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program. Focused on areas like physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science, the U.S. Department of Energy invites proposals under this open, nationwide solicitation through fiscal year 2026.

Delaware science and engineering graduate students using high-performance computing for research can access funding through the U.S. Department of Energy, which offers the Computational Science Graduate Fellowship nationwide. Eligible U.S. citizens or permanent residents planning full-time Ph.D. study at accredited U.S. universities may receive multi-year support, practicum experiences at DOE national laboratories, and professional development benefits.

Early-career academic researchers in the physical, mathematical, computational sciences, engineering, or biological sciences conducting science research in Delaware can receive US $560,000 over five years to bridge postdoctoral training and early faculty service. The Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s Career Awards at the Scientific Interface support individuals at degree-granting institutions across the U.S. and Canada.

The UCAR Next Generation Fellowship offers graduate students a unique opportunity to engage in Earth System Science research while addressing societal impacts. With a $40,000 fellowship over two years, participants can expect mentorship from UCAR leaders and professional development training. This program encourages interdisciplinary exploration, allowing fellows to collaborate closely with experts, attend conferences, and build lasting networks. It aims to empower diverse students as future change-makers in the field, fostering a commitment to equity and innovation.

Community Foundation of New Jersey

Over our 46-year history, the Community Foundation of New Jersey has collaborated with individuals, families, organizations, and businesses to design charitable funds and implement the philanthropic solutions they want to see in their communities. We leverage $1.17 billion in assets and 1,200 funds to help our partners think boldly and creatively about ways to give.

Scholarship Fund Overview

Beyond a shared commitment to educational opportunity, families establish scholarship funds with a variety of goals and purposes in mind. They may offer traditional scholarships or customize fund awards for alternative scholarships.

Currently, CFNJ administers more than 135 scholarship funds. Our scholarship opportunities run the gamut, from those exclusive to a local high school or geographic region to those supporting specific majors or career pursuits. Last year, we awarded over $2 million in scholarship assistance to 271 scholars.

Applicants may be evaluated on academic performance; extracurricular activities; community involvement; paid or unpaid work; and a statement of their personal aspirations, educational goals, and demonstrated unmet financial need in our scholarship review process.

David H. Roe Scholarship

This scholarship assists graduating high school seniors from the Greater Newark area who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in mathematics, physics, biology, botany, or chemistry. Applicants must have been accepted to a four-year accredited college/university within the United States and must be entering their freshman year in the fall. If you have not yet been accepted to a college or university, please do not apply at this time. Scholarships are based on merit and unmet financial need.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.

Neil Ashcroft Early Career Award for Studies of Matter at Extreme High Pressure Conditions

The award recognizes outstanding theoretical or experimental contributions by an early-career scientist to studies of matter at extreme high pressure conditions. This includes static and/or dynamic compressions within the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Earth and Planetary Science, Soft Matter and Biology. The honor is conferred annually and includes of a $5,000 stipend, a certificate citing the contributions of the recipient, and an allowance for travel to an APS meeting to receive the award to deliver an invited lecture at either the biennial SCCM Conference or the APS March Meeting.

Nominations are active for three years provided the the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline and all eligibility criteria are still met.

The Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (K25) aims to attract researchers in quantitative science and engineering to focus on NIH-relevant health research. This award provides protected time for supervised study and research, allowing professionals from fields like mathematics, statistics, and engineering to integrate their expertise into health-related studies. The K25 is specifically for lead investigators of independent clinical trials or related studies, fostering innovation in clinical research and career development.

The Edison Scholars Program, sponsored by Edison International, offers $12,500 annually to thirty high school seniors pursuing degrees in STEM fields at accredited U.S. colleges. This renewable scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need and reside in Southern California Edison’s service territory. Scholars also gain access to a paid summer internship after their first year. Eligible majors include engineering, mathematics, and computer sciences, fostering the next generation of innovators and leaders.

The ECosystem for Leading Innovation in Plasma Science and Engineering (ECLIPSE) program aims to advance plasma science research by addressing societal challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration. It encourages proposals that integrate fundamental scientific inquiries with technological applications, fostering innovation in areas such as environmental remediation, advanced manufacturing, and nanotechnology. Proposals should align with NSF priorities and promote diversity in STEM, enhancing workforce development and broadening participation from underrepresented groups.

The MMUF Dissertation Grant, funded by the Mellon Foundation, supports doctoral candidates who are alumni of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. This grant aids scholars in completing their dissertations, ensuring diverse perspectives are represented in academia. With up to $30,000 for a 12-month period, the program encourages candidates to secure additional funding from their institutions. The initiative aims to bolster access to education and foster understanding among varied backgrounds, ultimately enhancing the academic landscape.