There are different ways to help fund forensic education and bursaries are a great way for all types of students – whether they are studying nursing or aspiring to become DNA analysts. Different types of scholarships are available for all students; undergraduate and graduate students to help fund more research and innovation in their field of forensic science. In this article below, we have compiled 13 forensic science scholarships available to students in forensic studies.

Forensic Science Scholarships 

Here are the lists of Forensic Science Scholarships 

AFTE Scholarship ProgramAmerican Chemical Society Scholars ProgramNortheastern Association of Forensic ScientistsASCLD Annual Scholarship AwardsEllis R. Kerley Forensic Sciences ScholarshipEmily R. Murphy Graduate ScholarshipJ. Edgar Hoover Scientific ScholarshipJohnson-Whyte Memorial ScholarshipsMike Byrd Science ScholarshipSigrid and Cyril Wecht Forensic Science ScholarshipSandy Jeffers Memorial ScholarshipNuclear Forensics Undergraduate ScholarshipNJAFS Forensic Sciences Scholarship

AFTE Scholarship Program

Every year, the Association of Firearms Trademark and Tool Examiners (AFTE) organizes a scholarship program to award $2,000 scholarships to exceptional students seeking a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, a doctorate, or a professional degree for a career in forensic science. Qualified candidates must be registered at least half-time, have a university degree in natural or biological sciences, have a minimum average of three (3), have a lower or higher level, and want to become a forensic scientist. Preference will be given to any candidate working on a project specifically related to the firearm or tool brand test.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before April 1st.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: http://www.afte.org/AssociationInfo/a_scholarship.htm

American Chemical Society Scholars Program

For 20 years, the American Chemical Society (ACS) has been offering a scholarship program to award up to $5,000 per year to underrepresented minority-language students who wish to obtain a university degree in chemistry, forensic chemistry, toxicology, or chemical technology. Eligible candidates for African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics / Latinos must be US citizens. Be registered full-time at an accredited university, have a minimum average of 3 (GPA), and plan a career in any science related to chemistry, including forensic science. Applications must include an official transcript, ACT / SAT scores, two letters of recommendation, and proof of financial need.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before March 1st.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding-and-awards/scholarships/acsscholars.html

Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists

Students applying for the scholarship (amount not established) available from the Northeast Association of Forensic Scientists must be in their third or final year of a forensic science program or have a postgraduate degree in the field. Candidates must have good academic standing, receive referral letters from forensic science instructors and write a 250 to 500 words letter describing their objectives. In addition, they must attend a university in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York State, Connecticut, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

Application Deadline

All application requirements must be emailed by April 30th.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: https://www.neafs.org/

ASCLD Annual Scholarship Awards

Through the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD), annual scholarships of $1,000 are awarded to college students, seniors, and graduates who are currently pursuing a degree in forensic science, forensic chemistry, a physical and natural science-related. Qualified bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students must attend an accredited American institution, sign up for a program approved by FEPAC and get support from a recommendation from a faculty member or director of the laboratory. Selection will be based on candidates’ academic records, personal statements, recommendations and demonstrated motivation to embark on a scientific career.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before April 15th.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants visit the link below: http://www.ascld.org/docs/scholarship_sum.pdf

Ellis R. Kerley Forensic Sciences Scholarship

In tribute to the pioneering forensic anthropologist who has developed a precise way to positively identify bone remains with the Kerley method, the Ellis R. Kerley Fellowship in Forensic Science is awarding up to $2,500 each to encourage talented students to develop making a Difference in Forensic Anthropology. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program leading to a master’s or doctoral degree, be sponsored by an ABFA member and be a student member of the AAFS. Online applications must be accompanied by an official transcript, a reference letter and a two-page text describing the objectives of candidates in forensic anthropology.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before April 30th.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: http://kerleyfoundation.org/scholarship/

Emily R. Murphy Graduate Scholarship

At Virginia Commonwealth University, the Department of Forensic Sciences has created the Emily R. Murphy Graduate Scholarship to honour a young dynamic student who has dedicated herself to the profession of Forensic Pathologist before tragically losing her life car accident at the age of 22 in Washington. Eligible Washington DC applicants must be currently enrolled full-time as M.S. graduate students in the Forensic Science program, demonstrate strong academic merit, and write a 500-word essay analyzing your leadership potential in forensic science. Beneficiaries will be elected each spring based on academic achievement, dedication and initiative.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before February 15th.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: https://forensicscience.vcu.edu/about-us/scholarships/murphy-scholarship/

J. Edgar Hoover Scientific Scholarship

In honor of the creator of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the father of the modern police in the United States, the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation has created a scholarship to award $25,000 to an exemplary university student. This Forensic science scholarship 2020 is open to those who want to obtain a university degree or postgraduate degree in forensic science in order to start a career in the application of federal law. Candidates must have at least junior status, play an important role in criminal investigations, be citizens of the United States, and illustrate Hoover’s commitment to justice. With the application, students must provide an official transcript describing academic results and two letters of recommendation.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before April 6th.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: http://www.jedgarhooverfoundation.org/scholarships.asp

Johnson-Whyte Memorial Scholarships

As the world’s largest forensic science association, the International Association for Identification (IAI) is proud to host the Johnson-Whyte Memorial Scholarship Fund to award annual prizes to junior, senior and senior alumni graduate degrees who are currently studying forensic science. Qualified candidates must be registered full-time at a CHEA-accredited college, have a minimum average of 3 (GPA), demonstrate financial need, and seek employment in the forensic identification field. The selection will be largely based on the candidates’ academic background, previous experience in forensic science, recommendations, personal character, professional goals and professional potential for forensic identification.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before May 1st.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: https://www.theiai.org/foundations/contributors.php

Mike Byrd Science Scholarship

The Mike Byrd Scientific Scholarship of $1,000 per year is awarded through the Police Officers Assistance Fund (POAT) to graduating high school seniors or full-time college students from Miami-Dade, Broward, or Monroe counties in Florida who are pursuing a scientific career in crime scene investigation. Eligible applicants must be sons or daughters of law enforcement officers in Miami-Dade County, plan to declare a specialization in forensic science or forensic science, currently maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and demonstrate success in the field of science, criminal investigation. Applications must be accompanied by a certified transcript, proof of university registration and two letters of recommendation.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before May 1st.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: Mike Byrd Science Scholarship

NEAFS Scholarship Program

Since its inception in 1976, the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists (NEAFS) has organized an annual scholarship program to provide $1,000 to undergraduate and graduate students seeking a recognized degree in Forensic Science. Qualified candidates must have at least a junior level and a good academic position in a four-year institution in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut or New York. In addition to the completed application form, applicants will be required to provide two letters of reference from forensic science teachers and a 500-word letter outlining their career goals.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before April 30th.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, applicants should visit the link below: http://www.neafs.org/

Sigrid and Cyril Wecht Forensic Science Scholarship

In tribute to the former director of the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Sciences and Law at Duquesne University, the Sigrid and Cyril Wecht Forensic Scholarship is presented each year at a cost of $1,000 to new students or currently enrolled in the Institute. Forensic Scientists and Forensic Administrators must be enrolled full time in the Master of Forensic Science, the Master of Science in Nursing Sciences in Nursing or the Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science to be eligible. Selection will be based on academic achievement, financial need, recommendations and the clear commitment of candidates for social justice.

Application Deadline

Application for this Forensic Scholarship is ongoing. Deadline for submission varies.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, visit the link below: http://www.duq.edu/news/new-wecht-scholarship-to-benefit-duquesne-student-studying-forensics

Sandy Jeffers Memorial Scholarship

At the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, the Sandy Jeffers Memorial Scholarship has been awarded annually since 2003 to provide at least $ 500 to currently enrolled undergraduate students studying historical or forensic anthropology in the Department of Anthropology. For your consideration, interested students must submit a completed application form with a complete academic record, a financial budget plan and a letter of intent indicating their interests in the field of anthropology. Beneficiaries will be selected solely on the basis of their academic achievements, their financial needs and their commitment to historical or medico-legal anthropology.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before October 4th.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply,  applicants should visit the link below: http://web.utk.edu/~anthrop/contribution.html

Nuclear Forensics Undergraduate Scholarship

Administered through the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Nuclear Criminology Scholarship Program provides a $10,000 annual scholarship to undergraduate students pursuing studies in forensics, physics, chemistry, nuclear engineering or materials science. Candidates must be registered full-time in an accredited institution, possess US citizenship and demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing a career in the nuclear forensic community upon graduation. Recipients will be invited to complete a 9- to 12-week summer research program at the Office of Nuclear Detection to participate in their own nuclear forensic investigation mission.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before February 2nd.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, visit the link below: http://www.dhs.gov/nuclear-forensics-undergraduate-scholarship-program-nfusp

NJAFS Forensic Sciences Scholarship

Each year, the New Jersey Association of Forensic Scientists (NJAFS) distributes $1,000 unique bursaries to undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program in forensic sciences, natural sciences, chemistry or biology, with the clear goal to pursue a career in forensic science. Eligible applicants must be current members, reside in New Jersey, attend an accredited post-secondary institution within or outside the state, have attained at least a junior level, and demonstrate academic excellence with a minimum average of 3.0. With the application form, applicants must submit all university transcripts, two recommendation forms and a brief personal essay describing their contribution to the field of forensic science.

Application Deadline

All applications should be submitted on or before October 31st.

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, visit the link below: http://www.njafs.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/NJAFS_SCHOLARSHIP.pdf CONTACT:NJAFS Forensic Sciences ScholarshipP.O. Box 9304Trenton, NJ 08650(973) 256-7790secretary@njafs.org

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