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Awards and Scholarships
These are departmental awards only.
You must be a declared biology major to be eligible for any awards or scholarships.
The 2024-25 Biology Awards are now closed. Check back again in September 2025 for more information on the 2025-26 awards cycles.
Award amount:
up to $1,500
Description:
This scholarship provides tuition support for a top student finishing the Introductory Biology series in any quarter. The endowment supporting this scholarship was established in 1987 in honor of the late Zoology Prof. Donald S. Farner, a long-time contributor and champion of the Introductory Biology series.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduates who have completed BIO 180, 200, and 220 at the University of Washington, based on enthusiasm, academic merit, and financial need, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid
Quarter:
Aut, Win
Award type:
Scholarship/Fellowship
Award amount:
up to $1,600
Description:
The endowment supporting this scholarship was established in 2003 by Edith Lucena Riehl. Because she had no opportunity for an advanced education, Edith decided if she had the means, she would help students attain their goals. The award by cover tuition and provide support for books, feeds and other educational expenses.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduates who have been at the UW for at least one year with a minimum of 40 credits. Selection is based on academic merit and need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Quarter:
Aut
Award type:
Scholarship/Fellowship
Award amount:
up to $5,000
Description:
The Department of Biology directly funds this scholarship annually, for the benefit of its undergraduate students.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduates enrolled at UW for at least one year. Selection is based on academic merit and financial need, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Quarter:
Aut, Win
Award type:
Scholarship/Fellowship
Award amount:
up to $4,000
Description:
This award supports undergraduates with costs associated with fieldwork, research supplies, research-related travel, and/or travel to
present at scientific meetings.The endowment supporting this award was established in 1962 by faculty, alumni, and friends to honor former Botany Professors Frye, Hotson, and Rigg. A major contribution also came from the estate of Ruth and Horace Daum.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduates conducting research using a plant, algae, or fungi system for work in botany, ecology, evolution, taxonomy, environmental science, or biodiversity.
Quarter:
Aut, Win
Award type:
Research award
Award amount:
$1,000
Description:
The endowment supporting this award was established in 1997 by the late John Franco in memory of his wife Dorothy. John was a restauranteur and liberal arts and law school graduate, but he considered those areas less important than biology: "Biology is the basis of the human condition. It's what keeps the human race alive." This prize will be awarded annually to the best scientific paper submitted by an undergraduate involved in research.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduate conducting research in any biological discipline who submits their work in the form of a scientific paper (including title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references). This award has no expenditure restrictions and can be used at the student's discretion.
Quarter:
Aut, Win
Award type:
Prize
Award amount:
up to $2,000
Description:
The endowment supporting this award was established in 2001 by the estate of Katharina Casey and is intended to reward an undergraduate who demonstrates exceptional leadership, working hard and creatively to make Biology's undergraduate environment richer by increasing interactions of students with faculty through their enthusiasm for biology. The award supports costs associated with travel to present at scientific meetings, including conference registration fees, transportation, and/or room and board costs. The fund may also provide support for student research projects.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduates who need funds for travel to give a talk or present a poster at a scientific meeting or conference or undergraduates who need funds for research projects, in any biological discipline.
Quarter:
Aut
Award type:
Research award
Award amount:
up to $4,500
Description:
This endowment was established to provide assistance to undergraduate students, representing alumni Harold A. Porath and Thomas L. Johnson's desire to give back to their institution.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduates based on academic merit, with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and financial need, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Quarter:
Aut, Win
Award type:
Scholarship/Fellowship
Award amount:
up to $2,000
Description:
The Sargent Award supports Department of Biology undergraduates with costs associated with their research, including travel costs. The endowment supporting this award was established in 2002 by Walter and Margaret Sargent, former members of the Botany department.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduates who need funds to support their research, in any discipline.
Applicants must be currently enrolled at the time that the award is made.
Quarter:
Aut
Award type:
Research award