Student Organizations
At the Eberly College of Science, we are committed to the success of our diverse graduate student population. Explore the variety of resources we offer from fellowships and scholarships to student organizations.
Explore available opportunities
Named in honor of Mildred S. Bunton and Calvin H. Waller, the first-recorded African American alumna and alumnus of female and male Penn State graduates, the Bunton-Waller Fellowship is a merit-based assistantship given to students with strong academic and professional potential who bring diverse perspectives, identities, and interests to Penn State.
The graduate admission application serves as the Bunton-Waller Graduate Fellowship application. Applications will be evaluated on scholarly promise including quality of professional work or research experience, academic performance and potential as shown by transcripts, extracurricular and community activities to advance equity in science, leadership potential, and the candidate’s ability to add strong and unique value to the overall class experience.
Bunton-Waller fellowships include five years guaranteed support of tuition, stipend, and subsidized health insurance. At least one of the five years will be offered as a true fellowship, while the remaining years will be funded through a variety of support mechanisms, including research assistants or teaching assistantships.
The Graham Endowed Graduate Fellowship was created to assist in the recruitment of outstanding students considering enrolling at Penn State. The funds will provide supplementation awards to incoming students who have been given assistantships, departmental fellowships or who are recipients of external awards. Award offers are typically one year. No additional application is required beyond the Graduate Admissions application.
The Science Achievement Graduate Fellows (SAGF) Program in the Eberly College of Science is designed to recruit, recognize, and promote outstanding graduate students seeking a doctoral degree in the sciences and mathematics. The Eberly College of Science is determined and committed to advancing women, who are underrepresented in the sciences and mathematics, to enable the full potential of humankind essential to solving the great global challenges. The science achievement graduate scholarships are named in honor of an outstanding woman scientist or mathematician who not only made groundbreaking discoveries, but also blazed the trail for others who have followed in their footsteps. These prestigious scholarships provide a high level of recognition to the awardees, which will continue throughout their careers.
SAGF is awarded each year to outstanding college graduates who have an interest in pursuing doctoral studies in one of the seven departments of the Eberly College of Science, with strong communication and leadership qualities, and who have a demonstrated interest in the advancement of women in the sciences and related fields. Holistic selection criteria are used to select a candidate with an emphasis on letters of recommendation, research experience, leadership potential, communication skills, an outstanding record of high achievement, initiative, and motivation. For eligibility, an additional interview is required.
The total SAGF support package includes five years guaranteed support of tuition, stipend, subsidized health insurance, and $3,000 per year for professional travel, purchase of computers, or other professional development needs and activities. At least one of five years will be offered as a true fellowship, while the remaining years will be funded through a variety of support mechanisms.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provides funding for matriculated doctoral students in mathematics, science, and engineering in order to assist efforts to diversify the Ph.D. degree-holding workforce.
Sloan Foundation grants may be used to pay for professional travel, research, equipment, books, and to cover many other needs during their doctoral studies, and are in addition to any assistantships and fellowships awarded to a student.
Sloan Scholars must have passed their qualifying exams to enter the program, and each Sloan Scholar must have an approved mentor in his/her academic field. Faculty members who have proven track records in graduating a diverse population of students from their doctoral programs are selected each year to mentor incoming fellows.
Student Organizations
BMMB encourages you to explore communities outside our program to enrich your experience. In addition to the BMMB Graduate Student Association (insert link to GSA page), below is a sampling of other organizations and committees in which our students are involved.
Get involved on campus
Graduate student organization at Penn State that has been providing professional development, networking, fellowship, and other involvement opportunities for 30 years.
Open to new members every year, this committee aims to host events and implement plans to make the climate of the BMB department welcoming to all.
Graduate students working on labs that are part of CIDD can take advantage of additional professional development, educational, and training opportunities hosted by this student organization.
The ECoS C&D student subcommittee is looking for students interested in discussing ways to improve the graduate student experience within our college. This committee also holds social events to help create more opportunities for connections with other ECoS graduate students.
This office within ECoS hosts several outreach events throughout the academic year and summer, and is always looking for volunteers.
GenoMix is a social and professional organization for graduate students whose research is related to bioinformatics and genomics.
GWIS is an interdisciplinary national society of women and men who support equal opportunities for all in science. Their mission as an organization is to build a global community to inspire, support, recognize, and empower women in science.
MGS in STEM serves as a community for underrepresented graduate students and allies.The mission is to provide a professional community for underrepresented students to develop skills to succeed as graduate students and professionals with an aim to build confidence and foster relationships through faculty mentorship.
NOBCChE strives to build a framework for successful diverse global leaders in STEM that will help advance their professional endeavors by adding value to their academic, development, leadership, and philanthropic ventures throughout the life-cycle of their careers.
oSTEM is a non-profit student organization geared toward influencing the academic and professional progress and development growth of LGBTQ students and youth in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. oSTEM focuses its efforts on educating, increasing and retaining acceptance, tolerance and enrollment in such professions.
SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM.
The mission of SPS is to educate students about the connection between their science and public policy, and to teach them how to be advocates for their science. If you are interested in learning how events on Capitol Hill and in Harrisburg impact your research and vice versa, or if you want experience and training in science communication to non-technical audiences, SPS is for you.
The URISE Program provides exposure to scientific research career for early undergraduates and is led by volunteer graduate students. The program also assists undergraduates in finding placement in a research lab on campus.