Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program

About this program

Microscopy Society of America (MSA) offers annual Undergraduate Research Scholarships (up to $3,000) to support full-time undergraduate research projects using any microscopy technique, funding student stipends, supplies and limited travel; the program is supported by MSA and matching sustaining-member contributions and historically funds over half of applicants. Awards aim to foster careers using microscopy and must be spent within one year of the award, with research completed prior to graduation (rare extensions possible by prior agreement). Eligible applicants are full-time juniors or seniors at the start of the project, current MSA members, and previous MSA undergraduate scholarship recipients are not eligible for a second award. Applications (due December 1 by 11:59 PM ET) require a submission form, a research proposal up to three pages (introduction, methods, goals), an itemized budget, and the applicant’s CV; awards are announced around February 15.