Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship

About this scholarship

NOAA’s Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship supports students preparing for careers in oceanic, atmospheric, environmental, engineering, technology, and related social-science fields that advance NOAA’s mission. The package is valued at up to $40,000. It includes as much as $9,500 in academic assistance during each of the junior and senior years, a paid ten-week full-time summer internship at a NOAA facility, travel support connected with the internship, and funding to present the internship research at scientific conferences. The internship stipend is currently $700 per week, with a separate housing allowance available in qualifying placements. Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled full time at an accredited institution in the United States or a U.S. territory. The competition targets second-year students in four-year programs, community-college students preparing to transfer into a four-year program, and third-year students in five-year programs. A minimum 3.0 GPA and a declared NOAA mission-related major are required. NOAA has announced that the Class of 2027 application will open September 1, 2026 and close January 31, 2027 through its Undergraduate Scholarship Programs Application portal.

Eligibility

• Be a United States citizen
• Be enrolled or accepted full time at an accredited institution in the United States or a U.S. territory
• Be a second-year student in a four-year program, a transfer-track community-college student, or a third-year student in a five-year program
• Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Have a declared major in a discipline supporting NOAA programs and mission
• Have sufficient undergraduate study remaining to receive the two academic-year awards
• Be available for the required NOAA orientation and ten-week full-time summer internship
• Submit the complete online NOAA undergraduate scholarship application by the deadline