Now accepting applications for the EPP/MSI and Hollings undergraduate scholarships

Apply today!

UPDATED: February 1, 2024. The NOAA Office of Education 2024 undergraduate scholarships application period is now closed. The 2025 application period will open on September 1, 2024.

Applications for the EPP/MSI and Hollings undergraduate scholarships are now open! The opportunities, which are open to undergraduate sophomores or third year students in a five year program, include paid NOAA internships and academic scholarships. Applications for the 2024 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship and José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) Undergraduate Scholarship are open through January 31, 2024.

 
A grid of photos showing scholars doing a variety of activities, including: holding a tray of sampled oysters in a lab, holding a plate of whale baleen, on a boat, holding a weather balloon, and at a computer displaying audio data.
EPP/MSI and Hollings undergraduate scholars complete 10-week summer internship projects that span NOAA's mission. (Image credit: NOAA Office of Education)

The scholarships at a glance

Hollings Scholarship

Up to $40,000, including:
  • $9,500 stipend per year for junior and senior year
  • A 10-week paid NOAA internship
  • Funds for travel and conference participation

Eligibility:

  • U.S. citizen
  • 3.0 minimum GPA
  • Major in NOAA mission fields, including STEM and social science

EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship

Up to $45,000, including:
  • $9,500 stipend per year for junior and senior year
  • Two 10-week paid NOAA internships
  • Funds for travel and conference participation

Eligibility

  • Attend a minority-serving institution (MSI)
  • U.S. citizen or U.S. national
  • 3.2 minimum GPA
  • Major in NOAA mission fields, including STEM and social science

About the scholarships

These prestigious scholarships provide students with an academic award of $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study. The Hollings Scholarship provides a 10-week, full time, paid summer internship opportunity at any NOAA facility nationwide. The EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship offers two paid summer internships, one in a NOAA office in the Silver Spring, Maryland, metro area, and one at any NOAA facility nationwide. All scholars also receive funding to present their summer internship research at two national scientific conferences. 

In April of 2023, the NOAA Office of Education selected 130 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholars and 12 EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholars, hailing from a total of 86 different campuses in 31 U.S. states and Washington D.C. Next year's class, the class of 2024, will be the 20th class of Hollings scholars and the 24th class of EPP/MSI undergraduate scholars. Many scholarship alumni have gone on to work full-time at NOAA, while others have worked in areas of the government, in academia, or in the private sector. 

Eligibility

Both scholarships are available to undergraduate students studying engineering, meteorology, biological sciences, social sciences, physical science, and other NOAA mission-relevant disciplines. Students who are currently enrolled or accepted as a full-time 2nd year student in a four-year academic program or as a full-time 3rd year student in a five-year undergraduate program at an accredited college or university within the United States or U.S. territories can apply for the Hollings scholarship. Students who meet these requirements and attend a minority serving institution may apply for the EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship program. For a full list of eligibility requirements, please visit the frequently asked questions for the Hollings and EPP/MSI scholarships.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Hollings and EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship websites.

Still wondering if these scholarships are for you? Take a look at at the scholar blog to read scholars' posts about their internships, and the Hollings news and EPP/MSI news pages to find more stories that share the internship experience. Read updates from our alumni describing where they are now in our story catching up with NOAA scholars. Follow NOAA Education on FacebookInstagramTwitter, and LinkedIn offsite link to stay up to date with new scholar stories and news!