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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 $800
Description:
The endowment funding this award was established by UW faculty member Dr. Amalia Magaret and her husband Craig Magaret, a UW Biology alumnus. This award fosters creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking and will be given to a student who demonstrates the broad impact of their innovative work.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduate student conducting research in any biological field can use this award toward costs associated with their research and education, including the purchase of supplies, travel, conference fees and registration.
Quarter:
Win
Award type:
Research award, Conference funding
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:
$5,000
Description:
The endowment supporting this scholarship was established in 2020 by Dr. Donald Kelts. In addition to his studies in the College of Education with majors in biology and education and minors in chemistry and anthropology, Dr. Kelts played football for the university and worked odd jobs to earn spending money. Dr. Kelts and his family created the endowment supporting this scholarship to provide aid to deserving students working to complete their undergraduate education. This scholarship provides financial support to a sophomore, junior, or senior Biology undergraduate who intends to pursue a career in science or medicine. The scholarship may cover tuition and provide support for books, fees, and other educational expenses.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology sophomore, junior, or senior Biology undergraduates who intend to pursue a career in science or medicine. Selection is based on academic merit and need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Quarter:
Win
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 $5,000
Description:
The endowments supporting the FHL Award were established in 2005 by Ms. Dorothy Mills and her daughter, Dr. Claudia Mills, Profs. Katherine Graubard and William Calvin, Drs. Alan and Marian Kohn, and Prof. Dennis Willows and Dr. Susan Mahoney.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduates enrolled in classes at Friday Harbor Labs during spring and/or summer quarter who need funding for housing & related costs. Applicants must show proof of enrollment for classes or directed research at FHL during spring
and/or summer quarter.
Quarter:
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:
$500
Description:
The IDO Peer Facilitator Award is an annual prize awarded to undergraduate juniors or seniors who peer facilitate for a class in any biological discipline and demonstrate commitment to and excellence in teaching. The endowment supporting this award was established in 1991 by the late Dr. Ingrith Deyrup-Olsen and by many donations from her friends.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduate juniors or seniors who have served as a peer facilitator for a class in any biological discipline. Preference will be given to students who plan a career in K-12 biology teaching — if this applies to you, please indicate so in your application. This award has no expenditure restrictions and can be used at the student's discretion.
This award requires a personal statement, but DOES NOT require a FAFSA.
Quarter:
Win
Award type:
Prize
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:
This scholarship is made possible by the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs in honor of their 10th president, May Garrett Hayes, during whose presidency the Rhododendron was named the official state flower of Washington.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduate junior or senior whose degree or research is related to plant sciences. Selection is based on academic merit (B average) and financial need (as determined by FAFSA). The student must be a resident of Washington State.
Quarter:
Win
Award type:
Scholarship/Fellowship
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:
Full tuition (1 academic year) for one rising senior
Description:
The endowment support this scholarship was established in 2011 by Dr. William D. Gillett in honor of his lifelong friend, Dr. Susan Huscroft M.D. Throughout her career Dr. Huscroft has been devoted to caring for others, especially children, most notably through her work as a pediatric physician at the East LA Child and Youth Clinic, as Chief of Pediatrics and Chest Service at El Monte Comprehensive Health Care Center Ambulatory Care Services, and as the Medical Director of the LA County Juvenile Court Health Services, from which she retired. It is Dr. Gillett's intention that this scholarship provide funding to bright students who have proven both the desire and capability of completing an undergraduate degree in a premed track, and who have significant financial need. Recipients may receive 1 full academic year's worth of tuition (in-state rate).
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduate of junior standing (3rd year) and intends to complete an undergraduate Biology degree in a premed track. Selection is based on academic merit and financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Candidates will be interviewed by representatives from Biology administration and the Undergraduate Program Committee. The awardee will be required to remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress toward their degree; failure to do so may result in withdrawal of scholarship.
Quarter:
Win
Award type:
Scholarship/Fellowship
Award amount:
$1,200
Description:
This award was established to provide assistance to undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing research in plant biology.
Eligibility:
Department of Biology undergraduate students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or those who have overcome obstacles to attend college or have a deep personal experience with diverse cultures; and who are pursuing plant related research projects. Preference given to students performing plant research projects or conservation of climate change research within the Biology Greenhouse, The Center for Urban Horticulture, and/or related UW departments that incorporate hand-on research on environmental aspects of biology/botany.
Quarter:
Win
Award type:
Scholarship/Fellowship