Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

To provide service-conditioned scholarships to individuals from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who agree to pursue undergraduate education at accredited institutions. Individuals must pursue a course of academic study that prepares them for pr

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) offers competitive scholarships to students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research.

An eligible applicant must be (1) A U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident; (2) enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited undergraduate institution (4 year school) of higher education; (3) from a financially disadvantaged background as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (4) in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.3 or be in the top 5 percent) with his/her educational institution; and (5) submit an application to participate in the Undergraduate Scholarship (UGS) Program; (6) agree to serve as a full-time NIH employee for not less than 10 consecutive weeks of each year during which the individual is attending the educational institution and receiving a scholarship; (7) agree to serve as a full-time NIH employee for 12 months for each academic year during which the scholarship was provided, not later than 60 days after obtaining his or her academic degree, unless a service deferment is granted.

Undergraduate students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing academic programs supporting professions needed by the NIH.

This program will provide scholarships to individuals who have completed their first academic term of studies at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution of higher education. Recipients must be full-time students and who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Each award recipient must agree by written contract to serve as a full-time NIH employee for not less than 10 consecutive weeks during the summer immediately following the year of the award. No later than 60 days after obtaining a qualified educational degree, each recipient must begin serving as a full-time NIH employee for one year in exchange for each year of NIH scholarship support (a deferment of the service obligation may be obtained if the Director, NIH, determines that such is appropriate). Applicants must submit a proposed academic program for each academic year and agree that this program will not be altered without prior approval. The applicant must be in good academic (maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3) standing with their educational institution for continuation under the scholarship program. Maximum scholarship per academic year is $20,000. Scholarship funds may only be used for tuition expenses and qualified educational and living expenses incurred while attending school.

Scholarship award funding can only be used to support qualifying educational expenses as determined by the university.

Each award covers 1 academic year, and may be extended for a maximum of 4 years. No awardee may receive more than 4 years of support.

Candidates for the award must meet the minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for award.

The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program Committee will review, rank, and approve or disapprove applications based on career goals and academic performance. Priority will be given to applicants who have demonstrated good academic performance, demonstrated a career goal to pursue biomedical/biobehavioral research, and have characteristics which support the likelihood they will complete their service obligations.

Priority will be given to applicants who are prior recipients. The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program Committee will review, rank, and approve or disapprove applications submitted for program participation. Criteria which determine competitive ranking for awards may include: (1) career goal in biomedical/biobehavioral research; (2) academic performance; and (3) letters of recommendation. A student's financial need alone does not affect selection. Applicants approved for award will be notified by the Program Director. The Secretary, and his/her designee will sign the service contract of approved applicants, provide a copy to the participant and under graduate institution notice of approved award amount. Scholarship payments, including room and board, books, fees and transportation are made to the college or university for dispersal.

The approximate time for approval/disapproval is 3 months.

Annual renewal applications are required to extend the award. Extensions of the scholarship awards are subject to availability of funds, acceptable academic and laboratory performance.