STEM Scholarships with January Deadlines: Apply Now for 2025-2026
Why is January a great time to plan your scholarship timeline?
January is one of the best times of the year to apply for scholarships. On one hand, students are on winter break and often have more free time than they do during the semester. On the other, January aligns perfectly with the FAFSA timeline for need-based financial aid submissions. Sign-up for free to start your search today and utilize the IOScholarships search engine.
Scholarships with winter deadlines are also a great opportunity for high school students seeking financial aid for their first year of college. Many of these scholarships select winners in the summer, with funds distributed at the start of, or during, the fall semester, making them especially helpful for covering first-year expenses. Click here for 5 Tips to complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA Form Successfully.
Applying for scholarships over winter break may feel daunting and might even bring on a case of the “spring scaries,” but your future self will thank you. Ashley Prado, an IOScholarships Ambassador and Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers at FIU, recommends starting an application by simply reading the essay prompt and letting your ideas develop. She suggests returning to the application a few days later with a fresh perspective. For more practical scholarship advice, you can listen to Ashley’s episode on the IOScholarships Superheroes Podcast, where she discusses her career path, passion projects, and tips for college success!
One final tip before we dive into the top STEM scholarships for January: get into the habit of tracking deadlines early. Staying organized allows you to prepare application materials ahead of time and reduces last-minute stress. You can start today by selecting just one scholarship you’re interested in and planning around its deadline.
National STEM Scholarships with January Deadlines
1. FOSSI Scholarship
Deadline
January 15
Amount
$40,000
Location
National
Grade Level
High School Seniors
Description
The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) Scholarship supports high-achieving students planning to pursue a STEM-related degree at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). In addition to financial support, recipients receive internship preparation and placement, leadership training, and mentoring. Eligible students must be pursuing approved chemical or engineering STEM-related fields and demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. Students interested in nursing, medicine, psychology, social sciences, and related fields are not eligible.
2. Department of Energy (DOE) Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
Deadline
January 15
Amount
$45,000
Location
National
Grade Level
Undergraduate, Graduate
Description
The DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) provides outstanding opportunities for students pursuing doctoral degrees that utilize high-performance computing to solve complex science and engineering problems. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science and National Nuclear Security Administration, the fellowship supports a collaborative community of Ph.D. students, alumni, and national laboratory researchers dedicated to advancing impactful research. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and intend to enroll as full-time doctoral students.
3. AMS Graduate Fellowship
Deadline
January 23
Amount
$5,000–$26,000
Location
National
Grade Level
Graduate
Description
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) Graduate Fellowship Program supports students entering their first year of graduate school in atmospheric or related sciences. Fellows receive financial support, special access to the AMS Annual Meeting, and ongoing academic and career mentorship. The program encourages applications from women, minorities, and students with disabilities who are traditionally underrepresented in atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic sciences.
4. Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship
Deadline
January 31
Amount
$9,500–$40,000
Location
National
Grade Level
Undergraduate
Description
The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship provides financial support and paid internship opportunities with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program is open to undergraduate students studying engineering, meteorology, biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and other NOAA mission-relevant disciplines. Eligible applicants include sophomores in four-year programs, community college students planning to transfer, and third-year students enrolled in five-year undergraduate programs.