Prospective EPP undergraduate scholars

Announcement: EPP will not offer undergraduate scholarships for the class of 2025.

The Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP) will not be hosting a class of scholars for the 2025 academic year. We recognize the hard work applicants put into their applications and preparing for interviews and regrets any negative impact caused by this change. 

Why will there not be awards in 2025?

Due to budget uncertainty, the Office of Education is not able to fund an EPP class of 2025. 

If I applied to both the Hollings and EPP undergraduate scholarships, will I still be considered for Hollings?

The Hollings Scholarship is funded through a different mechanism and will award scholarships in 2025. The Hollings and EPP undergraduate scholarships use a shared application process. All students who applied for the Hollings program will still be considered for it. Hollings scholarship recipients will be notified by e-mail during the first week of April. Applicants may review the status of their application by accessing their online application account.

Are past or future EPP USP classes impacted?

This action only impacts the EPP USP 2025 application season. It does not impact the EPP USP class of 2024. Decisions about future classes of EPP USP will depend on future funding availability.

Are scholars from the class of 2024 still conducting internships this summer?

Yes. EPP USP scholars from 2024 are funded through this fiscal year and are proceeding with their internships during the summer of 2025.

The Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP) is a competitive scholarship that supports and trains talented undergraduate students for America’s future STEM workforce. Students who are rising juniors at minority serving institutions may apply for the scholarship, which includes academic year support, professional development, and paid hands-on research experiences at NOAA facilities. During their paid internships, scholars contribute meaningfully to NOAA’s mission for the nation, learn about work in a federal facility, and develop professional and technical skills.

The EPP and Hollings undergraduate scholarships application period is now closed. Applications are open annually from September through January.

Benefits of an EPP undergraduate scholarship

  • Education and training support: Scholars receive up to $45,000, including academic year support, stipends for two internships, and funds for housing, travel, and conference attendance.
  • Meaningful contributions to the NOAA mission: Scholar projects address questions directly related to NOAA's mission.
  • Skill development and application: Scholars learn and apply new skills and have the opportunity to apply the skills they’ve learned in an academic setting to real-world challenges.
  • Mentorship from a NOAA professional: Throughout the internships, the NOAA mentor provides one-on-one guidance.
  • Gain professional skills and network: Through professional development training and internships, scholars develop a suite of skills essential to workplace success and develop a peer and professional network.

What is included in the award?

EPP USP provides successful undergraduate applicants with an award of up to $45,000. The award includes:

  • Up to $9,500 per year for two academic years of full-time study.
  • Two 10-week, full-time summer internships at a NOAA facility:
    • Biweekly internship stipend.
    • Housing subsidy for scholars during the summer internship at an away-site
    • Round-trip travel to the internship site including reimbursement for incidentals.
  • Travel support to attend a mandatory 2-week orientation at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
  • Travel support to attend and present at the mandatory NOAA Scholarship Symposium at the completion of each internship.
  • Participation in up to two professional conferences to present the results of their summer project each year.

What are the responsibilities of EPP USP scholars?

Selected scholars have several responsibilities in addition to completing their internships. 

First year of the award

  • Summer before junior year
    • Attend a two-week mandatory orientation beginning in mid-May.
    • Complete a nine-week summer internship project at NOAA in Silver Spring, Maryland.
    • Attend EPP professional development sessions during the internship.
    • Attend and present an internship project at the NOAA Science and Education Symposium.
  • During junior academic year
    • Complete an approved research project relevant to the NOAA mission in coordination with an academic mentor at their institution.
    • Choose a second summer internship at any NOAA facility where a project is available and complete a site visit at the facility.

Second year of the award

  • Summer before senior year
    • Complete a ten-week summer internship project.
    • Attend and present an internship project at NOAA in Silver Spring, Maryland.
  • During senior year
    • Complete six-month approved public service activity relevant to the NOAA mission.

Throughout the award

  • Maintain full time student status at an eligible institution within the United States or U.S. territory.
  • Continued enrollment in a major related to NOAA’s mission.
  • Maintain 3.2 grade point average per academic term, as well as cumulatively.
  • Meet reporting requirements related to academic status, NOAA internships, academic year research project, and public service activity.

Who is eligible to apply for EPP USP?

An applicant for the EPP USP must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
  • Be enrolled full-time at an accredited minority serving institution within the United States or U.S. territory. To determine whether your institution is eligible, your institution’s Office of Student Affairs is a good place to start.
  • Be majoring in a field of study related to NOAA's mission and goals. 
    • This includes, but is not limited to, oceanic, environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, physical information and social sciences including geography, physics, hydrology, or geomatics that support NOAA's programs and mission.
  • Have and maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average per academic term on a 4.0 scale in all completed undergraduate courses and in their major field of study. 
  • Current community college students may apply if accepted and will transfer to a 4-year institution in the fall term following the application period, and will have sufficient credit hours transferred to qualify for junior class academic status.

How do I apply for EPP USP?

The online application is open annually from September through January. If you do not have internet access, hard-copy applications can be requested by contacting:

NOAA/Office of Education (OEd),
Attn: EPP/MSI USP Team,
1315 East West Highway, 10th Floor,
Silver Spring, MD 20910-6233

  • If you have questions about the application, please contact: epp.usp@noaa.gov.