Best Grants for Science Research in Arkansas

Arkansas colleges, universities, and research institutions conducting collaborative STEM research can access funding through the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR RII-FEC program. Multi-state teams in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, and engineering may receive US $1,000,000 - US $1,500,000 to build research infrastructure and long-term STEM capacity in eligible jurisdictions.

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.

Eligible biomedical research institutions in Arkansas and other NIH IDeA states can seek funding to build research capacity and infrastructure. The National Institutes of Health supports recruitment and mentoring of early-career investigators, start-up packages for new hires, establishment of research facilities, and enhanced research administration, helping less-resourced institutions advance toward long-term, competitive biomedical research programs.

Biomedical research institutions and primarily undergraduate colleges in Arkansas and other IDeA states can seek funding to build research capacity, mentor students, and strengthen infrastructure in biology and health. The National Institutes of Health’s IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence supports statewide networks linking research-intensive and undergraduate institutions to expand biomedical research careers.

Arkansas earth science students conducting research can access funding through the Geological Society of America’s South-Central Section to support undergraduate research projects. Eligible applicants must be student members enrolled at institutions in Arkansas or other South-Central states. Funded students must use funds as proposed and submit a brief final report.

U.S. undergraduate natural science majors of Polish descent can receive scholarship support for full-time study through this competitive award, which may benefit Arkansas students pursuing science research. Grants from Kosciuszko Foundation provide US $5,000 to one eligible freshman, sophomore, or junior in fields like physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, earth science, or biochemistry.

Arkansas science researchers collaborating with U.S. and Israeli partners can access funding through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation for two-year start-up research projects in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science. Eligible junior principal investigators must be within 10 years of completing a Ph.D. or M.D., with each PI eligible for up to US $90,000.

Arkansas science researchers pursuing PhD studies who need facilities or expertise abroad can access funding through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation’s Prof. Rahamimoff Travel Grants. U.S. or Israeli PhD students in eligible scientific fields may receive US $6,000 for research visits of up to two months between Israel and the U.S.

The BSF Research Grants program supports collaborative research between U.S. and Israeli scientists, focusing on basic science projects. Annually, approximately 400 applications are submitted, with around 100 grants awarded. To foster collaboration, joint publications are essential for evaluation. Applications are accepted once per year in mid-November, with results announced the following July. Since its inception in 1972, the BSF has funded over 5,400 high-quality research initiatives, distributing more than $700 million.

Graduate students conducting science research on drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive US $3,000 to advance actionable water-industry solutions. Focused on water-related research, American Water Works Association invites Arkansas researchers and others in related scientific fields to apply for this Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship opportunity.

Arkansas science researchers at EPSCoR-eligible institutions can access funding through the National Science Foundation to build STEM research capacity and advance their careers through extended collaborations with premier research centers. Projects in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science may be eligible, with opportunities to include a student or postdoctoral trainee from an EPSCoR jurisdiction.

Universities and research institutions conducting science research in Arkansas can access funding for undergraduate research experiences through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, supporting projects in NSF-funded disciplines. Grants from the National Science Foundation help U.S.-based STEM departments create REU Sites or add REU Supplements that engage undergraduates in meaningful, ongoing research projects, including chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science.

Arkansas higher education institutions and organizations serving STEM undergraduates can access funding through the Alfred P Sloan Foundation to plan partnerships that improve pathways to STEM master’s and doctoral programs. Planning grants up to US $75,000 support multi-institution collaborations to assess barriers, design strategies, and strengthen inclusive science research and education in the U.S.

Colleges, universities, and higher education-serving nonprofits in Arkansas can seek funding to pilot partnerships that reduce systemic barriers to STEM master’s and doctoral degrees. Focused on STEM higher education, the Alfred P Sloan Foundation invites multi-institution collaborations, especially those serving high Pell Grant populations, to launch and assess new or expanded pathway activities. Awards up to US $250,000.

Nonprofit two- and four-year colleges and universities in Arkansas and nationwide can apply for Alfred P Sloan Foundation implementation grants, up to US $500,000, to strengthen pathways to STEM master’s and doctoral programs. Funding supports multi-institution partnerships that remove systemic barriers for underrepresented and low-income students in STEM fields and higher education.

Graduate students in Earth system and atmospheric sciences attending universities in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico can receive US $40,000 over two years for research, policy, or transdisciplinary work through the UCAR Next Generation Fellowship. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research provides Arkansas science researchers with mentoring, professional development, and funded research visits to UCAR/NSF NCAR sites.

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.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing undergraduate studies in mathematics, physics, biology, botany, or chemistry can access scholarship support, including students from Arkansas. Grants from Community Foundation of New Jersey help science-focused students with merit and unmet financial need attend a four-year accredited U.S. college or university as incoming freshmen.

Cherokee Nation citizens in Arkansas studying physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, nursing, engineering, or mathematics can receive one-year scholarship support for junior, senior, or graduate-level studies. Grants from Cherokee Nation Foundation help eligible students within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area advance higher education and reduce student debt in science and engineering fields.

Graduating seniors planning to study physical sciences such as chemistry, physics, astronomy, earth science, meteorology, or mineralogy can receive renewable scholarship support for accredited post-secondary education. With a mission to support local students, Daviess County Community Foundation provides a US $4,170 John R. Chapman Scholarship to high-achieving applicants in the upper third of their class, which may benefit Arkansas science-focused students researching similar opportunities.

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.

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.

Researchers and research institutions conducting NIH-relevant quantitative science and engineering studies with human subjects can receive mentored career development support through this K25 award. Focused on integrating fields like mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering with health and disease research, this federal program may benefit Arkansas science researchers seeking structured training and protected research time.

Women pursuing degrees in biology, chemistry, physics, or human or animal medicine may be eligible for scholarship support that can help fund science education, including in Arkansas. Grants from Battle Creek Community Foundation help cover tuition and related costs such as books, fees, equipment, and sometimes childcare or transportation, paid directly to educational institutions.

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.

High school seniors pursuing engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or business degrees can receive US $1,000 - US $3,000 through the Lambeth Family Scholarship, renewable for up to four years. Seattle Foundation provides Arkansas science-focused students with support that may help launch or expand their higher-education and research pathways.

The Pat and John MacTavish Fund, established in 2007 by John Mac Tavish in memory of his wife Pat, provides scholarships aimed at encouraging young women to pursue higher education in the hard sciences. Awarded by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, scholarships are competitive and based on criteria such as financial need and academic achievement. Applicants from Northern Ottawa County or specific school districts are eligible. The fund emphasizes the importance of education in fields such as math, chemistry, and computer science.