Scholarships for African-American Students

UNCF Internships and Fellowships

UNCF Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP), born from the long-standing traditions of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), works diligently to create connections between the diverse, high-performing workforce of the minority education community and private industry to address the nation’s imperatives.

While equally committed to the minority education community through our strong partnership with UNCF, UNCFSP operates as a separate and independent 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization with our own Board of Directors.

Our minority education constituency includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Other Minority Institutions (OMIs).

Visit the website for a broad range of internship and fellowship opportunities.

UNCF Merck Science Initiative

Every year, scholarships and fellowships are awarded through a national competition. Over 550 students & scholars in the biological and chemical sciences have found support, knowledge, careers and advancement.

Scholarships/Internships/Fellowships

The UNCF / Merck Science Initiative awards scholarships and fellowships at three levels:

UNCF/ Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards are intended to help African American undergraduate students who are interested in science to further their science education and potentially pursue science and engineering careers.  The UNCF /Merck awards provide tuition support and opportunities for research experience in a state-of-the-art research facility.

UNCF /Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships will help African American graduate students complete coursework, conduct research, and prepare the dissertation required for a doctoral degree in the biomedically relevant life or physical sciences and engineering.

UNCF /Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowships are intended to provide support to African American post-graduate students to obtain postdoctoral training and to prepare for a career in biomedical research.

UNCF /Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards

Awards up to $30,000. At least 15 scholarship awards will be granted each year. Each award provides up to $30,000, which includes up to $25,000 towards tuition, room and board, and billable fees. This award is not transferable.

Each UNCF / Merck Undergraduate Fellow will be mentored by a Merck scientist and will receive a Summer Research Internship with a stipend of at least $5,000, if eligible. One internship will take place during the summer following the junior year and the other following graduation. The 10-12 week summer internship will take place at a Merck facility.

The recipient’s department may apply for a Department Grant of up to $10,000. The actual amount of this grant is continent upon funds remaining in the scholarship portion of the award after all tuition, room and board, and billable fees are paid.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a UNCF/Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Award, you must be:

• African American (Black)
• Enrolled full-time in any four-year college or university in the United States
• A junior who will be a B.S. or B.A. degree candidate in the academic year
• A life sciences, physical sciences, or engineering major. (Applicants majoring in the physical sciences must have completed two semesters of organic chemistry by the end of the academic year). First professional (Pharm.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., etc.) majors are ineligible
• A student with a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
• Committed to and eligible for the summer internship at a Merck facility
• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

A UNCF /Merck selection committee consisting of  Merck scientists and engineers will evaluate the applicants. Award recipients will be selected based on their GPA, their demonstrated interest in their own scientific education and a career in scientific research or engineering, and their ability to perform in a laboratory or engineering environment.

UNCF/ Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships

Awards up to $53,500. At least 12 dissertation fellowships will be awarded in 2012. Each fellowship provides up to a maximum of $53,500, which includes a Stipend of up to $43,500 for the Fellow and a Research Grant of up to $10,000 to support the research needs of the Fellow. The fellowship stipend is intended to cover from 12-24 months of fellowship tenure. A maximum of $30,000 in stipend may be received in any 12 month period. The Fellow must be engaged in and within 1-3 years of completing the dissertation research having successfully completed all qualifying exams by September 1.

Each UNCF / Merck Graduate Fellow will be mentored by a Merck scientist or engineer and will be expected to maintain regular contact with his/her mentor. Each Fellow will present a progress report of research work during the last half of the fellowship tenure. Each Fellow must also submit a two-page research summary of their fellowship research and updated Curriculum Vitea to UNCF at the end of their fellowship tenure. UNCF must be notified upon receipt of the degree.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a UNCF / Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowship, you must be:

• African American (Black)
• Enrolled full-time in a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree program majoring in a life science, physical science or engineering. M.D./Ph.D. degree candidates are eligible
• Engaged in and within 1-3 years of completing dissertation research, and must successfully complete all qualifying exams by September 1
• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States

A UNCF/Merck Selection Committee consisting of educators, Merck scientists and engineers will select the awardees based on academic ability, record of accomplishment, and the soundness of the proposed doctoral research plan.

UNCF / Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowships

Awards up to $92,000. At least 10 postdoctoral fellowships will be awarded in 2012. Each fellowship provides a maximum of $92,000, which includes a Stipend of up to $77,000 and a Research Grant of up to $15,000 to the hosting department. The stipend is intended to provide 12-24 months of fellowship tenure. A maximum of $55,000 of stipend may be received in any 12 month period. The Research Grant is intended to support the research needs of the Fellow.

Each UNCF/ Merck Postdoctoral Fellow will be mentored by a Merck scientist. Fellows are expected to maintain frequent contact with their Merck mentor. Each Fellow is also required to visit the Merck Research Laboratories to present a progress report to the Merck research staff during the last half of the fellowship tenure. Each Fellow must also submit a two-page research summary of their fellowship research and updated Curriculum Vitae to UNCF at the end of their fellowship tenure.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a UNCF / Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowship, you must be:

• African American (Black)
• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree recipient in a life or physical science by the end of academic year
• Appointed as a new or continuing postdoctoral fellow by the end of the calendar year at an academic or non-academic research institution in the USA (private industrial laboratories are excluded). This postdoctoral appointment must be for a minimum of 12 months
• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

A UNCF/ Merck Selection Committee consisting of educators and Merck scientists will select the award winners based on ability, record of accomplishment, and the soundness of the proposed postdoctoral research.