The UNCF•Merck Science Initiative awards scholarships and fellowships at three levels:
UNCF • Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards are intended to help African American undergraduate students who are interested in science to further their science education and potentially pursue science careers. The UNCF • Merck awards provide tuition support and opportunities for research experience in a state-of-the-art research facility.
UNCF • Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships will help African American graduate students complete coursework, conduct research, and prepare the dissertation required for a doctoral degree in the biomedically relevant life or physical sciences.
UNCF • Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowships are intended to provide support to African American post-graduate students to obtain postdoctoral training and to prepare for a career in biomedical research.
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UNCF • Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards
Awards up to $35,000. At least 15 scholarship awards will be granted in 2008. Each award provides up to $35,000, which includes up to $25,000 towards tuition, room and board, and billable fees. This award is not transferable.
Each UNCF • Merck Undergraduate Fellow will be mentored by a Merck scientist and will receive two Summer Research Internships with stipends totaling at least $10,000, if eligible. One internship will take place during the summer following the junior year and the other following graduation. The two 10-12 week summer internships will take place at a Merck research facility in Rahway, NJ, West Point, PA or Boston, MA.
The recipient’s department may apply for a Department Grant of up to $10,000. The actual amount of this grant is continent upon funds remaining in the scholarship portion of the award after all tuition, room and board, and billable fees are paid.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for a UNCF • Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Award, you must be:
• African American (Black)
• Enrolled full-time in any four-year college or university in the
United States
• A junior who will be a B.S. or B.A. degree candidate in the 2008-
2009 academic year
• A life or physical sciences major (Applicants majoring in the
physical sciences must have completed two semesters of organic
chemistry by the end of the 2007-08 academic year). First
professional (Pharm.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., etc.) and engineering
degree majors are ineligible
• A student with a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
• Committed to and eligible for two summer internships at a Merck
research facility
• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
A UNCF • Merck selection committee consisting of educators and Merck scientists will evaluate the applicants. Award recipients will be selected based on their GPA, their demonstrated interest in their own scientific education and a career in scientific research, and their ability to perform in a laboratory environment.
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UNCF • Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships
Awards up to $52,000. At least 12 dissertation fellowships will be awarded in 2008. Each fellowship provides up to a maximum of $52,000, which includes a Stipend of up to $42,000 for the Fellow and a Research Grant of up to $10,000 to support the research needs of the Fellow. The fellowship stipend is intended to cover from 12-24 months of fellowship tenure. A maximum of $30,000 in stipend may be received in any 12 month period. The Fellow must be engaged in and within 1-3 years of completing the dissertation research having successfully completed all qualifying exams.
Each UNCF • Merck graduate Fellow will be mentored by a Merck scientist and will be expected to maintain regular contact with his/her mentor. Each Fellow will present a progress report of research work during the last half of the fellowship tenure. Each Fellow must also submit a two-page summary of their fellowship research to UNCF at the end of their fellowship tenure. UNCF must be notified upon receipt of the degree.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for a UNCF • Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowship, you must be:
• African American (Black)
• Enrolled full-time in a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
program majoring in a life or physical science. M.D./Ph.D.
degree candidates are eligible
• Engaged in and within 1-3 years of completing dissertation
research having successfully completed all qualifying exams
• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States
A UNCF • Merck Selection Committee consisting of educators and Merck scientists will select the awardees based on academic ability, record of accomplishment, and the soundness of the proposed doctoral research plan.
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UNCF • Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowships
Awards up to $85,000. At least 10 postdoctoral fellowships will be awarded in 2008. Each fellowship provides a maximum of $85,000, which includes a Stipend of up to $70,000 and a Research Grant of up to $15,000 to the hosting department. The stipend is intended to provide 12-24 months of fellowship tenure. A maximum of $50,000 of stipend may be received in any 12 month period. The Research Grant is intended to support the research needs of the Fellow.
Each UNCF • Merck Postdoctoral Fellow will be mentored by a Merck scientist. Fellows are expected to maintain frequent contact with their Merck mentor. Each Fellow is also required to visit the Merck Research Laboratories to present a progress report to the Merck research staff during the last half of the fellowship tenure. Each Fellow must also submit a two-page summary of their fellowship research to UNCF at the end of their fellowship tenure.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for a UNCF • Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowship, you must be:
• African American (Black)
• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree recipient in a life or physical
science by the end of academic year 2007-08
• Appointed as a new or continuing postdoctoral fellow by the end of
the 2008 calendar year at an academic or nonacademic research
institution in the USA (private industrial laboratories are excluded).
This postdoctoral appointment must be for a minimum of 12 months
• A citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
A UNCF • Merck Selection Committee consisting of Merck scientists will select the award winners based on ability, record of accomplishment, and the soundness of the proposed postdoctoral research.
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