Best Grants for Science Research in North Carolina

Professional biologists conducting biology research in North Carolina and other ASB member states can apply for the Association of Southeastern Biologists’ ASB Research Award, with US $1,000 for outstanding work. Eligible applicants are non-student ASB members who are primary or senior authors and present their research at the ASB annual meeting.

Academic and nonprofit core facilities in North Carolina seeking shared-use life sciences research equipment can apply for Innovation Impact Grants, with awards up to US $150,000. Focused on strengthening biology and related research infrastructure, North Carolina Biotechnology Center prioritizes projects that fill ecosystem gaps and broadly serve the state’s scientific community, including science research initiatives.

Researchers at North Carolina universities and nonprofit research institutes can seek funding to advance university-held life sciences inventions toward commercial products. Focused on translational research and de-risking technologies for licensing or investment, North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s Translational Research Grant supports biology and biotechnology projects that set clear product-development milestones and build partnerships with product development professionals.

North Carolina universities and nonprofit organizations hosting life sciences events can request up to US $2,000 to support in-person, virtual, or hybrid meetings in North Carolina. With a mission to strengthen the state’s life sciences ecosystem, North Carolina Biotechnology Center backs events that share information and networking opportunities for the scientific community.

Physics educators, researchers, and leaders advancing service to physics in North Carolina and the broader Southeast can receive recognition through the SESAPS Francis Slack Award. American Physical Society honors individuals who build research facilities, strengthen physics departments, support regional physics organizations, foster consortia, and lead outreach, with encouragement for women and minority nominees.

North Carolina science research organizations can access funding through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation to support supervised PhD students needing research facilities or expertise abroad. Grants of US $6,000 fund up to two-month research visits for U.S. or Israeli PhD students in eligible scientific fields at higher education or nonprofit research institutions.

Nonprofit two- and four-year colleges and universities in North Carolina conducting STEM education and research can apply for Alfred P Sloan Foundation implementation grants, with awards up to Up to US $500,000. Funding supports multi-institution partnerships that expand equitable pathways to STEM master’s and doctoral degrees, which may benefit science research programs and broad-access institutions.

Focused on STEM graduate pathways, Alfred P Sloan Foundation invites North Carolina higher education institutions to collaborate on seed projects that reduce systemic barriers to STEM master’s and doctoral degrees. Nonprofit colleges, university systems, and eligible partner organizations can seek up to US $250,000 for 1–2 year pilot activities assessing partnership models nationwide.

North Carolina higher education institutions and organizations serving them can access funding through the Alfred P Sloan Foundation to plan partnerships that improve STEM pathways from undergraduate to graduate education. Planning grants up to US $75,000 support multi-institution collaborations that assess barriers to student success, especially for broad-access, two-year, and access-focused baccalaureate colleges.

North Carolina science researchers starting independent careers can access funding for collaborative U.S.-Israel projects in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science. Through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation Start-Up Research Grant, eligible junior principal investigators within ten years of their Ph.D. or M.D. may receive up to US $90,000 each for two-year projects.

Universities, colleges, and research organizations conducting STEM research in North Carolina can access funding through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Awards of US $5,000 - US $500,000 support active research participation by undergraduate students across fields like chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, engineering, computer science, and related disciplines in the U.S.

Undergraduate natural science majors of Polish descent studying full-time in the U.S. can receive support for tuition and studies through a competitive scholarship. Grants from Kosciuszko Foundation help North Carolina and other U.S.-based chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, astronomy, and biochemistry students with one US $5,000 award for eligible freshmen, sophomores, or juniors.

North Carolina science and engineering faculty at EPSCoR-eligible institutions can access funding through the National Science Foundation to build research capacity and advance their STEM careers through extended collaborations at premier research centers. Fellows may host one trainee, gain access to unique facilities, and strengthen their home institution’s research infrastructure in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science.

Graduate students conducting science research on drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive funding to advance actionable solutions for current water industry challenges. Focused on water-related fields, American Water Works Association invites North Carolina researchers and others to apply for the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship, which provides US $3,000 for graduate research.

Graduate students in Earth system sciences attending North American universities, including those in North Carolina, can receive US $40,000 plus travel and professional development through the UCAR Next Generation Fellowship. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research provides chemistry, physics, Earth science, and related fields fellows with mentored research, policy, and leadership training opportunities.

Universities, labs, and research organizations conducting energy and physical or life science research in North Carolina can access funding via the Department of Energy Office of Science, with awards ranging from US $50,000 - US $5,000,000. Focus areas include chemistry, physics, biology, environmental and computational sciences within DOE’s Congressionally authorized mission, with applications accepted throughout FY 2026.

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 Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Senior Master Sergeant Texie C. Taylor, USAF Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be a junior or senior undergraduate or graduate student majoring in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, nursing (RN), engineering (aerospace, civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical) or mathematics with a minimum 3.0 GPA. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Edite Balks Walter, M.D. Scholarship Fund

This fund was established to help women seeking degrees in biology, chemistry, physics and human or animal medicine. Dr. Walter is a graduate of the former Springfield High School. Through the assistance of various scholarships, she graduated cum laude from Kalamazoo College. Dr. Walter remains an inspiration and believes, "Women Can Do Science and Should Do Science."

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Lambeth Family Scholarship

This scholarship, designed to honor and financially support students pursuing a degree in engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, computer science or business, supports high school seniors in Washington State who will study at a public university, community college or technical school. This scholarship varies from $1,000 to $3,000 and is renewable for up to 4 years.

North Carolina science and engineering graduate students using high-performance computing for research can access funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Computational Science Graduate Fellowship. This national fellowship supports U.S. citizens and permanent residents pursuing Ph.D.s in fields like physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and environmental science at accredited U.S. universities, including those in North Carolina.

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.

Graduating seniors in physical sciences planning post-secondary study may be eligible for this renewable scholarship, including those interested in research-focused fields relevant to North Carolina science programs. With a mission to support local education, Daviess County Community Foundation provides US $4,170 awards for Washington Community and North Daviess High School students pursuing accredited college or university degrees.

Early-career scientists studying matter at extreme high pressure conditions can receive recognition and US $5,000 through this national award, plus travel support to present at an APS meeting. Researchers in fields such as physics, chemistry, materials science, and earth or planetary science in North Carolina may be eligible for the American Physical Society’s Neil Ashcroft Early Career Award.

Researchers with quantitative or engineering backgrounds conducting NIH-relevant health and disease studies can apply for mentored career development support, including work based in North Carolina. 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 Robert Holland Jr. Award honors senior scientists with diverse backgrounds who demonstrate excellence in research and teaching in Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy. Recipients are invited to join the Cottrell Scholar community, fostering creativity and inclusivity. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize and promotes the contributions of underrepresented scholars. Candidates are evaluated on their mentoring, leadership in diversity initiatives, and potential impact on the academic community. This prestigious award is a key initiative by the Research Corporation.

The Cottrell Scholar Award supports early career faculty at U.S. and Canadian research universities, fostering innovative research and teaching in Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy. This prestigious recognition emphasizes the importance of impactful research plans and educational strategies, aiming to enhance undergraduate and graduate science education. The award also encourages academic citizenship and collaboration within institutions, providing funding for three-year projects up to $120,000, thereby promoting excellence in both research and education.