Science, engineering, computing

Scholarships for Black Women in STEM

From your first engineering class to a Ph.D., these verified awards fund science, technology, engineering and math. Each card shows who can apply in the sponsor's own words.

Undergraduate

STEM scholarships for college students

STEMHBCU

Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology

DFBSST
Eligibility today: For African American undergraduates at HBCUs (sponsor's wording).
Who can apply
African American undergraduates in scientific or technical fields at historically Black colleges and universities. Deans and faculty nominate students.
Award
Up to $3,000 a year for up to four years (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The site doesn't post a deadline. Ask your dean or department about nominations.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
STEMHigh school seniorsGraduate

SWE Scholarships

Society of Women Engineers
Eligibility today: For engineering and computing students. The page doesn't state a gender rule in its eligibility text.
Who can apply
Students pursuing degrees in engineering, engineering technology or computer science: sophomores through graduate students, plus incoming first-year students.
Award
SWE says it awarded nearly $1.8 million in 2026; individual amounts aren't listed (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
College and graduate applications open December 1, 2026, and close in early February 2027; first-year applications run February to March 2027.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Graduate school

Thinking about a Ph.D.?

The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship funds new Ph.D. students at select Florida universities in fields including engineering, the sciences, math and nursing research. It exists to grow the number of African American and Hispanic faculty in Florida, and its application rules ask for U.S. citizenship and a bachelor's degree.

Many STEM Ph.D. programs also fund students through research and teaching assistantships. Ask each program what a typical funding package includes before you apply.

GraduateSTEMNursing

McKnight Doctoral Fellowship

Florida Education Fund
Eligibility today: The program's stated purpose is to address the underrepresentation of African American and Hispanic faculty in Florida; its 'who may apply' rules list citizenship and degree, not race.
Who can apply
U.S. citizens with at least a bachelor's degree, starting a Ph.D. in arts and sciences, business, engineering, health sciences, nursing or the arts at select Florida universities. Current doctoral students can't apply, and degrees such as the DNP or M.D. aren't covered.
Award
Up to 50 fellowships a year, each with a stipend of up to $14,000 a year for up to three years (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Applications are due in mid-January each year (for 2027-28 funding).
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Any major, including STEM

Broader awards worth adding

High school seniorsAny major

The Gates Scholarship

The Gates Scholarship
Eligibility today: The current eligibility list includes no race or ethnicity criteria.
Who can apply
High school seniors who are Pell-eligible, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with at least a 3.3 weighted GPA, planning full-time study at a four-year nonprofit U.S. college.
Award
The full cost of attendance not already covered by other aid and the Student Aid Index (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The application window runs mid-July to mid-September; the 2026 cycle has closed. Watch for the next window in July.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Any majorGraduate

AKA Educational Advancement Foundation Scholarships

Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation
Eligibility today: Open to all: the foundation supports students without regard to sex, race or other traits. Sorority membership isn't required for its main programs.
Who can apply
Full-time undergraduates (sophomore or above) and full-time graduate students at accredited schools. Minimum GPA is 3.0 for merit awards and 2.5 for need-based, Thrive and Launch awards. Most programs also ask for community service.
Award
Thrive awards go up to $1,000; other amounts aren't listed. Most are one-time awards (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
Thrive closes in March; undergraduate awards in April; graduate awards in August.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
High school seniorsAny major

Zeta National Educational Foundation Scholarships

Zeta National Educational Foundation (Zeta Phi Beta)
Eligibility today: Given without regard to race, sex or other traits. Eleven general awards need no sorority membership; five are for members only.
Who can apply
High school seniors and college students for the general awards. The Chairman's Scholarship is for a female high school student.
Award
The Chairman's Scholarship covers educational costs up to $150,000; other amounts aren't listed. Most awards are one-time (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026).
Timing
The scholarships page doesn't show a deadline; check the foundation's AwardSpring portal.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
HBCUAny majorHigh school seniors

UNCF Scholarships

UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
Eligibility today: Criteria vary by program. UNCF calls itself the nation's largest private scholarship provider to minority group members.
Who can apply
Many separate programs, each with its own eligibility, essays and deadline. Awards go to students at more than 600 schools, including UNCF's member HBCUs. You apply through UNCF's online opportunities portal.
Award
More than $62 million a year across all programs (per the sponsor's site as of Nov 2026). Individual amounts vary.
Timing
Rolling. Programs open and close all year; several on the site close in November.
Verified Nov 7, 2026Official page
Tips

Finding more STEM money

  • Ask your department. Engineering and science departments often have their own scholarships, and some outside awards, like DFBSST's, depend on faculty nominations.
  • Check professional societies in your field. Engineering, computing and science societies often run scholarships for student members.
  • Keep a one-page record of research, projects, internships and service. It makes every application faster.

A note on eligibility

Eligibility rules for race-conscious awards have been changing. The Supreme Court's 2023 SFFA v. Harvard decision addressed college admissions, and lawsuits since then have challenged some race-restricted programs. In one case, Fearless Fund closed its grant contest for Black women business owners in a September 2024 settlement. Supreme Court opinion WABE

Some sponsors have since opened their awards to all students while keeping a focus on Black students or HBCUs; others still limit eligibility. Each listing shows the sponsor's current wording as of November 7, 2026. Please confirm on the sponsor's site before you apply.

Questions

Questions students ask

Are there STEM scholarships for Black women?

Yes. On our list, DFBSST funds African American undergraduates in science and technical fields at HBCUs, SWE funds engineering and computing students, and the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship funds Ph.D. study in Florida.

Do I need to be nominated?

For some awards. DFBSST scholarships come through nominations from deans and faculty, so tell your department you're interested.

Is the McKnight Fellowship only for Florida residents?

Its page says applicants must be U.S. citizens with a bachelor's degree who will study for a Ph.D. at select Florida universities. It does not list a Florida residency rule.

Sources (checked Nov 7, 2026)