Best Grants for Science Research in Kansas

Kansas colleges, universities, and research institutions conducting collaborative STEM research can access funding through National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR RII-FEC program. Eligible projects must involve investigators from at least two EPSCoR jurisdictions and aim to build sustainable research infrastructure and STEM capacity, including participation from Minority-Serving Institutions and other underrepresented institutions, with awards from US $1,000,000 - US $1,500,000.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible states by increasing the number of university researchers and institutions conducting relevant science and engineering research. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, this program will fund multiyear awards to promote research aligned with national security needs. Applications require a multi-stage submission process, emphasizing early registration and timely proposal submissions.

Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate geoscience students at universities in Kansas, Missouri, or southeast Nebraska can apply for the Association for Women Geoscientists Osage Chapter’s $500 service scholarships to support research, tuition, or books. AWG members conducting Earth science-related study and community service to increase participation of underrepresented groups in geosciences may be eligible.

Universities and research institutions conducting biomedical research in Kansas and other IDeA states can access funding to build research capacity, mentor students, and enhance infrastructure. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports statewide INBRE networks that link research-intensive universities with primarily undergraduate institutions to expand biomedical research and career pathways.

Research institutions in Kansas and other NIH IDeA-eligible states can seek funding to build biomedical research capacity, especially in biology and health-related science. The National Institutes of Health supports recruitment and mentoring of early-career investigators, start-up packages for new hires, new research facilities, and enhanced research administration, serving as an on-ramp to future COBRE Expansion/Sustainability awards.

Kansas earth science students conducting research can access funding through the Geological Society of America’s South-Central Section. Eligible applicants are undergraduate student members enrolled at institutions in Kansas or other listed South-Central states in the U.S. or Mexico, supporting defined research projects with required reporting on results and use of funds.

Undergraduate natural science majors of Polish descent in the U.S. can receive US $5,000 for full-time study through this competitive scholarship, including students from Kansas. Grants from Kosciuszko Foundation help college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in fields like physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science who maintain at least a 3.5 GPA.

Kansas STEM faculty at EPSCoR-eligible institutions can access funding through the National Science Foundation to build research capacity and advance their careers through extended collaborations at leading research centers. Projects in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, and related STEM areas may be supported, including a trainee from an EPSCoR jurisdiction.

Kansas science researchers starting independent careers can access funding for collaborative basic research projects through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation. Eligible junior principal investigators (within 10 years of Ph.D. or M.D.) in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, or earth science may receive up to US $90,000 when partnering with a U.S.-Israeli counterpart.

Kansas science research organizations and institutions can access funding through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation to support PhD students’ short-term research visits. Grants fund up to US $6,000 for U.S. or Israeli PhD candidates conducting supervised research in eligible scientific fields who need facilities or expertise in Israel or the U.S.

Graduate students conducting science research on drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health in Kansas and beyond can apply for this scholarship, which provides US $3,000 for impactful research. Focused on water industry challenges, American Water Works Association invites applicants whose work offers actionable, timely outcomes for drinking water and related environmental issues.

Universities and research institutions conducting science research in Kansas can access funding for undergraduate research participation through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Grants from National Science Foundation help U.S.-based STEM projects involve undergraduates in meaningful research, either as dedicated REU Sites or as Supplements to existing NSF-funded awards, with awards ranging from US $5,000 - US $500,000.

Kansas higher education institutions and organizations serving STEM undergraduates can access funding through Alfred P Sloan Foundation to plan partnerships that remove systemic barriers to STEM master’s and doctoral pathways. Planning grants up to US $75,000 support one year of collaborative assessment, internal reviews, and roadmap development among nonprofit two- and four-year colleges and universities.

Nonprofit colleges, universities, and higher education-serving organizations in Kansas can pursue collaborative STEM initiatives that remove systemic barriers to master’s and doctoral degrees. Focused on STEM education and diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Alfred P Sloan Foundation invites multi-institution seed projects nationwide, offering up to US $250,000 for 1–2 year pilot partnerships with strong assessment plans.

Nonprofit U.S. two- and four-year colleges and universities, including those in Kansas, can apply for Alfred P Sloan Foundation implementation grants, awarding up to US $500,000 for 2–3 years to expand proven STEM pathways from undergraduate to graduate study. Eligible projects involve partnerships among multiple institutions to remove systemic barriers to STEM master’s and doctoral degrees.

High school seniors in Washington State pursuing degrees in engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or business can receive renewable scholarships of US $1,000 - US $3,000. Seattle Foundation provides this support through the Lambeth Family Scholarship, which may benefit students interested in science-related study and research beyond Kansas-focused opportunities.

Graduate students in Earth system sciences attending universities in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico can receive US $40,000 over two years for research, policy, or related work through the UCAR Next Generation Fellowship. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research provides Kansas science researchers with mentorship, professional development, and funded research visits to Boulder, Washington, D.C., or other locations.

The FY 2026 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program invites applications for research in various domains, including Advanced Scientific Computing and Biological Research. This ongoing opportunity from the Department of Energy will remain available until September 30, 2026. Eligible projects must align with SC's mission, supporting innovative research that advances scientific knowledge and energy solutions.

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

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.

Cherokee Nation citizens studying physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, nursing, engineering, or mathematics and residing within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area can receive one-year scholarship support for junior, senior, or graduate-level study. Grants from Cherokee Nation Foundation help students pursuing higher education in these STEM fields, which may include science research relevant to work in Kansas or elsewhere.

Graduating seniors in the upper third of their class at Washington Community or North Daviess High School planning to study physical sciences can receive US $4,170 for college. With a mission to support education, Daviess County Community Foundation provides renewable scholarships for majors like chemistry, physics, astronomy, meteorology, geology, or mineralogy.

Researchers with quantitative or engineering backgrounds conducting NIH-relevant health and disease studies can apply for mentored career development support, including projects based in Kansas. Focused on integrating fields like mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, chemistry, and imaging with biomedical research, the National Institutes of Health provides protected time for supervised study and research.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund's Career Awards at the Scientific Interface provide $560,000 over five years to support early-career researchers transitioning from physical and computational sciences to biological sciences. Launched in 1999, these awards aim to enhance academic research careers for U.S. and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents, fostering a diverse and innovative scientific workforce essential for advancing human health.

The DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) supports U.S. citizens and permanent residents pursuing Ph.D. degrees in computational sciences. Established in 1991, it provides a $45,000 annual stipend, full tuition, and a $1,000 professional development allowance over a maximum of four years. The program encourages interdisciplinary research, offering fellows practical experience in DOE laboratories, enhancing their careers in high-performance computing and scientific research across various fields.

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 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.