Graduate Scholarships in Biology

We understand that paying for college can be challenging. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships through the College of Science and Engineering and the Department of Biology. Explore our available scholarships and apply for those that fit your specific needs.

Justin Dickerson Memorial Research Scholarship

  • Purpose: This award is for a biology Master’s student who is pursuing thesis research in the subject of soil microbiology, aquatic biology, or soil microbiome. Preference is given to students doing soil microbiome research.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must be a biology Master’s student who has completed at least 6 graduate credit hours. Applicants must be Plan A thesis with a research prospectus on file, which should also be included in the application.
  • Renewal Status: This scholarship is non-renewable.
  • Scholarship/Donor Information: This scholarship is sponsored by a Detroit-based nonprofit called the Great Lakes Soil Bank in memory of Justin Dickerson, who was killed in a motorcycle accident. The award may be used to pay for tuition, books, food and housing, research support, or research supplies.

Raymond E. Hampton Excellence in Biology Research Award

  • Purpose: This award is for a second-year biology graduate student who is doing summer research at the CMU Biological Station.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must be a second-year graduate student enrolled at CMU in the Department of Biology with an earned overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. Applicant must submit a prospectus defining the research project to be accomplished while at the CMU Biological Station and a budget of expected research expenses. The awardee must also submit a statement of research progress and accomplishment to the Department of Biology by the following September 15.
  • Renewal Status: This award is not renewable.
  • Scholarship/Donor Information: The endowment was established in memory of Dr. Raymond E. Hampton, who dedicated 24 years of service, loyalty, and positive influence to CMU and the Department of Biology. For many years he taught a variety of courses at CMUBS including Nature Photography, a popular student favorite. The award may be used for tuition, books, and food and housing expenses at the CMU Biological Station. It may also be used for expenses involved in presenting research results at a meeting or conference.

Michigan Garden Club, Inc. Scholarship

  • Purpose: This scholarships is awarded to an outstanding full-time biology undergraduate junior or senior, or a graduate student with interests in any of a variety of botanical or land management subjects.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must have taken a general botany course, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA overall with a minimum 3.25 GPA in biology courses, and a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester. At least one additional plant course must be taken.
  • Renewal Status: This award is renewable upon reapplication.
  • Scholarship/Donor Information: This scholarship is sponsored by the Garden Clubs of Michigan to encourage the study of horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, botany, forestry, agronomy, plant pathology, environmental control, city planning, land management and other related subjects.

Marion Whitney Summer Graduate Scholarship

  • Purpose: This award is for summer support of a graduate student who is completing a thesis in the field of zoology.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must be a graduate student in the area of zoology enrolled at CMU, who has completed at least 6 graduate credit hours with a GPA of 3.5 or better. Applicant must be pursuing a Plan A thesis with a research prospectus on file. A research prospectus should be included in the application.
  • Renewal Status: This award is not renewable.
  • Scholarship/Donor Information: Marion Whitney was hired in 1963 and taught in the Biology Department until 1981 when she retired. She was diversely trained and her research centered on rock weathering. Upon her death several years ago, her estate established this scholarship.

Daniel E. and Mildred G. Wujek Scholarship

  • Purpose: This award is for a botany or aquatic biology graduate student to support research.
  • Qualifications: Applicant must be in botany or aquatic biology with a GPA of at least a 3.0.  Preference is given to a botany student. Each applicant must provide a detailed research prospectus with the application.
  • Renewal Status: This scholarship is renewable upon reapplication.
  • Scholarship/Donor Information: Established by Daniel E. and Mildred G. Wujek, both CMU alumni. Dr. Dan Wujek was a graduate student and then a faculty member in the Biology Department until he retired in 2004. The award may be used for tuition, books, food and housing at the biological station, research logistic support and/or supplies in support of research.