Scholarships

The Out to Innovate™ Scholarships, established in 2011, are intended for LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs. The scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and increased visibility of talented LGBTQ+ students in STEM careers. We are pleased to announce that Motorola Solutions Foundation has funded the Out to Innovate Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year for technology and engineering undergraduate students. BHE Foundation has funded several $5000 scholarships for engineering students. And individual philanthropy has funded two general STEM scholarships for $3000.

We have a new permanent addition to our scholarship portfolio: The Amy A. Ross Scholarship in Bioscience. Applicants to this scholarship must demonstrate a commitment to furthering LGBTQ+ visibility, diversity, and inclusion in the biosciences. This is a $2000 scholarship.

Scholarships to date have been awarded to:

  • 2011/2012 Academic Year: Michael Waak and Tonia Poteat; Funded by Battelle Memorial Institute (grant recieved 2011)
  • 2012/2013 Academic Year: Malakai Ryker and Carl Streed Jr. Funded by Battelle Memorial Institute (grant received 2011)
  • 2013/2014 Academic Year: Mateo Williamson and Samuel Otis Brinton. Funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation (grant received 2012)
  • 2014/2015 Academic Year: Nathalie Lambrecht and Leslie Kerby. Funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation (grant received 2013).
  • 2015/2016 Academic Year: Rachel Owen and Dustin Plowman. Funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation (grant received 2014)
  • 2016/2017 Academic Year: Albert A. and Dustin Nowaskie. Funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation (grant received 2015)
  • 2017/2018 Academic Year: Ryder Fox and Stephanie Bi. Funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation (grant received 2016).
  • 2018/2019 Academic Year: Thomas Frietag, Christian Zimmerman, Patrick Martin-Tuite, Noelle Fries Funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation (grant received 2017 and 2018)
  • 2019/2020 Academic Year: Eilidh Lark, Luis Castillo, Kellan Baker, Victoria Chen, funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation (grant received 2018)
  • 2020/2021 Academic Year:
    • Out to Innovate Scholarship™: Arpi Grigorian, Jay Meashey, Matthew Abrams, Shayle Matsuda, Peter Pham, Leonie Barkakati, funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation (grant received 2019 and 2020)
    • David McClennan Memorial Undergraduate Engineering Scholarships: Sam Ayala, Kelly Rojas, a one-time gift from David McClennan’s niece
    • InPHi Undergraduate Physics/Engineering Scholarship: Alexa Jakob, funded by InPHi Corporation
  • 2021/2022 Academic Year:
  • 2022/2023 Academic Year:
    • Out to Innovate Scholarships: Emma Strassberg, Kevin Tu, Luis Tun, Samantha Usman.
    • Amy A. Ross Scholarship in Bioscience: Adonis Rubio
    • BHE Foundation CARES Scholarship:Sadie Atkinson, Claire Bentfield, Alice Deng, Brenardo Garcìa Martì, Phong Ha, Lauren O’Sullivan, Juniper Savchick, Tyrell Simmons, Rachel Tenney, Tylin Williams
  • 2023/2024 Academic Year:
    • Out to Innovate Engineering and Technology Scholarship, funded by Motorola Solutions Foundation: Nathaniel Moreland, Artem A., Jaiden Barthel, Nick O'Reilly, Ozichi Chinedu, Rory Rossi
    • Out to Innovate STM Scholarships, funded by our members: Meghana Hosahalli Shivananda Murthy, Frida Calvo Huerta
    • Amy A. Ross Scholarship in Bioscience: Landon Porter
    • BHE Foundation CARES Scholarship: Kayla Morris, Maxwell Pisciotta, Samantha Schmidt

Scholarship Guidelines and Eligibility

The mission of scholarship program is to:

  • Award scholarships to LGBTQ+ students currently enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) or STEM-related teaching fields.
  • Honor students who support a creative educational community that increases the visibility and the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ and supportive students
  • Encourage students to be out in their careers and support diversity in the STEM workforce

Award Guidelines:

  • Scholarship awards will be paid in the Fall semester/quarter only.
  • Scholarship availability depends on funding, and might not be offered every year. Some years will offer more scholarships than other years
  • All awards must be used in support of recipient’s education or research.

Eligibility:

  • Successful completion of a minimum of two years of post-high school education at an accredited U.S. college or university
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4-point scale.
  • A declared major in an accredited STEM or STEM-related teaching field. STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and is defined in detail in this document.
  • Identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Be an active supporter of and participant in programs or organizations that promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility
  • Students must be eligible for fall term registration at an accredited U.S. college or university and must not be under disciplinary sanction.

How to apply:

  • The application window for the 2023/2024 academic year closed on June 10, 2023, 11:59. Awards have been announced and scholarships have been distributed.  The next application window for the 2024/2025 academic year will open in March 2024. When the application window is open, this section of this web page will have a link to the application submission portal.
  • The application process has three sections: profile, application, and references. The profile section tells us demographic information about you. The application form involves scholastic and financial information AND a 1000 word max personal statement. The reference request section asks you for contact information for at least two people who have agreed write a letter of recommendation for you. One of these references must be a faculty member who is familiar with your academic accomplishments; the other reference may be someone (a different faculty member, a volunteer supervisor, a mentor, a colleague) who is familiar with your community/volunteer activities.
  • Incomplete or late application submissions will not be evaluated.
  • Applications submitted via email or outside the application cycle window will not be evaluated.

Questions:

Contact the Out to Innovate Scholarship Program Coordinator at: scholarships at noglstp dot org