Scholarships and Awards
Second Round of Awards for Travel to Conferences
These awards are for currently enrolled Genetics students only. Up to $500 in travel support may be awarded to students who are attending regional or national meetings such as the Genetics Society of America or Maize Genetics meetings among others. Preference will be given to students who are presenting a poster or giving a talk at the meeting.
Scholarship Applications are Due by March 1, 2023
By simply completing one application (the OneApp), you will be considered for ISU Office of Student Financial Aid scholarships, LAS College scholarships, and department scholarships. There are many scholarships that consider academic achievement, financial need, major, career interest and other factors. Just remember — you must complete the general and college sections of the OneApp, as well as any recommended opportunity questions to be considered for any of these scholarships. https://www.financialaid.iastate.edu/scholarships/
The scholarships listed below are for currently enrolled students only. Four scholarships are administered by the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB); two are administered by the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology (EEOB) and one is administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS students only). Use the OneApp form to apply.
Applications open on October 4, 2023 for the 2023-24 academic year.
Dr. John R. Ohlfest Memorial Scholarship
Award
- $1000 for a Fall/Spring academic year; Awardee will receive $500 in the Fall semester and $500 in the Spring semester.
Scholarship Eligibility
- File a FAFSA by January 3rd, 2023; the FAFSA must demonstrate financial need
- Undergraduate student in Biology or Genetics Program
- 2.8 or higher GPA at Iowa State University
- Junior status for Fall 2023
- U.S. Citizen
- Preference will be given to a student from Lawton, Iowa
Diane Marie Heimbuch Scholarship
Award:
- One or more $1000 awards are given each year. This may be a renewal award for the previous recipient who continues to meet the criteria, or a new award. Awardees will receive $500 in Fall semester and $500 in Spring semester. A student may not receive the award for more than three years.
Applicant Criteria:
- Student must be a resident of the State of Iowa.
- Student must be an undergraduate majoring in Biology, Genetics, or Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.
- Student must be at least a sophomore in standing and attending full time.
- Student must be in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- Student must have a least fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters remaining at Iowa State University to receive the full $1,000 award.
- Preference will be given to a student interested in animal biology.
Darlene and Melvin Larsen Scholarship
Award:
- One or more $1000 awards will be given in 2023. Awardees will receive $500 in Fall semester and $500 in Spring semester. Previous awardees may re-apply.
Applicant Criteria:
- Student must be an undergraduate majoring in Biology, Genetics, or Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.
- Student must be in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Students must have a least fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters remaining at Iowa State University to receive the full $1,000 award and must maintain full time status.
- Preference is given to students who demonstrate leadership skills as evidenced by involvement with community or on-campus activities, organizations, etc.
- Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need. FAFSA must have been submitted by January 3rd, 2023.
- Preference is given to students with career interests in genetics, developmental biology, or cell biology.
David Gladson Scholarship
Award:
- One or more $1000 awards will be given in 2022. Awardees will receive $500 in Fall semester and $500 in Spring semester.
Applicant Criteria:
- Student must be an undergraduate majoring in Biology, Genetics, or Bioinformatics and Computational Biology or a graduate student in the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology
- Student must be in good academic standing.
- Student must have a least fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters remaining at Iowa State University to receive the full $1,000 award and must maintain full time status.
- Student must be involved in existing research being conducted in relation to neurological disorders, either pursuing studies in neurological disorders or working in a research program pertaining to Neuroscience. The applicant must submit a written statement of interest in the study of neurological disorders.
Mary Kate Phillips Scholarship in Plant Sciences
Award:
- $1,000 for a Fall/Spring academic year
Scholarship Eligibility:
- File a FAFSA by January 3rd, 2023
- Demonstrated financial need
- 3.0 or higher GPA at Iowa State University
- Minimum of three semesters of college coursework completed
- Undergraduate student in Biology Program, Genetics Program, or Environmental Science Program
- Demonstrated interest in plant sciences or botany.
Irving W. and Natalie A. Knobloch Scholarship
The Irving W. and Natalie A. Knobloch Scholarship is an annual scholarship for undergraduate students enrolled in a major administered by the Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Department at Iowa State University (i.e., Biology, Environmental Science, Genetics) with a demonstrated interest in botany.
Award
- $1,000 for a Fall/Spring academic year
Scholarship Eligibility
- File a FAFSA by January 3rd, 2023
- Demonstrated financial need
- 3.0 or higher GPA at Iowa State University
- Minimum of three semesters of college coursework completed
- Undergraduate student in Biology Program, Genetics Program, or Environmental Science Program
- Demonstrated interest in plant sciences or botany
Dr. David W. Staniforth Legacy Scholarship
The Dr. David W. Staniforth Legacy Scholarship is an annual scholarship for an undergraduate student enrolled in a major administered by the Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology Department at Iowa State University (i.e. Biology or Genetics) with a demonstrated interest in botany.
Award
- $4,000 for a Fall/Spring academic year
Scholarship Eligibility
- File a FAFSA by January 3rd, 2023
- Demonstrated financial need
- Undergraduate student in Biology or Genetics Program
- Demonstrated interest in plant sciences or botany
Elinor L. Fehr and Walter R. Fehr Endowed Scholarship (administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
Award:
- $2,000 for a Fall/Spring academic year
Scholarship Eligibility:
- 3.0 or higher GPA at Iowa State University
- Junior or Senior status for Fall 2023
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Major in Genetics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences