Click on Apply below to start your application.

Please email NNSA-PATH@orise.orau.gov with any questions. 

You are invited to attend an informational webinar regarding the NNSA-PATH Program!

When: May 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST

Register online: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Ij9TZmo7T7SPE6kFpSz_rw

The Program Award for Technical and Higher-Education (PATH), sponsored by National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), offers scholarships to students from Minority Serving Institutions pursuing a technical certificate, or an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)-discipline that supports the critical needs of the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). The NSE has a wide array of critical needs that range from technical expertise and skilled trades to STEM research.  Important areas of research include nuclear security, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, engineering, and energy systems.  PATH is committed to serving diverse populations, providing education and programs that serve students with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, notions, and beliefs.

PATH has the following objectives: 

• Provide financial support to students who demonstrate a desire to pursue a STEM-focused academic pathway that applies to the NNSA Mission Directorates.
• Expose students to STEM-related research taking place at community colleges, undergraduate and graduate colleges and universities.
• Connect students to other NNSA MSI-supported students, faculty, and alumni.
• Foster an understanding of NNSA Mission Directorates and introduce students to the NNSA MSI Internship Program.
• Expose students to STEM-based careers at NNSA and the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE)

About NNSA

PATH meets NNSA’s goals to “recruit, invest in, and nourish a high-performing, diverse, and flexible workforce that can meet the unique policy, technical, and leadership needs of our mission today and well into the future.” (Adaptive Workforce and Resilient Infrastructure, NNSA Strategic Vision, pg. 13). 

For more information about NNSA, visit National Nuclear Security Administration | Department of Energy.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD DETAILS

Scholarships will start on September 1^st and will end May 31^st regardless of the beginning and ending of the academic terms. 

Technical Certification/Two-year certificate/degree

• Award per year: $4,500
• Maximum Years of Support: 2 years (students continuing to a four degree are eligible for 2 additional years of support)
• Eligible Degree Programs: Associate of Science, Associate of Engineering, Associate of Applied Science

Four-year Undergraduate Degree

• Award per year: $10,000
• Maximum Years of Support: 4
• Eligible Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Applied Science

Graduate Degree

• Award per year: $20,000
• Maximum Years of Support: 2
• Eligible Degree Programs: Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Doctoral (Ph.D or comparable doctoral degree)

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Selected candidates must meet the following requirements to participate in the program:

• Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited MSI during the 2024-2025 academic year.
• Must be pursuing a degree a STEM academic discipline that supports the critical needs of the Nuclear Security Enterprise. Proof of enrollment will be required at the beginning of the Fall and Spring terms. Program must be informed of changes to enrollment status.
• Maintain minimum GPA for the appropriate academic level.
  • One-to-two-year degree or certification: 2.5
  • Four-year undergraduate degree: 3.0
  • Graduate degree: 3.2 minimum

Application Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) at the time of application.
• Be 18 years of age by September 1, 2024.
• Meet one of the following conditions at the time of application:
  • Planning to be enrolled as an undergraduate (a freshman, sophomore or junior student) at a Minority Serving Institution for the 2024-2025 academic year.
  • Planning to be enrolled as a first-year graduate student at a Minority Serving Institution for the 2024-2025 academic year.
  • Planning to be enrolled as a PhD student at a Minority Serving Institution for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Note:  All applicants must provide proof of application/acceptance to a Minority Serving Institution.

• Be pursuing or plan to pursue a technical certificate, or an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree in a STEM discipline in one or more fields that supports the critical needs of the Nuclear Security Enterprise. The enterprise has a wide array of critical needs that range from technical expertise and skilled trades to STEM research.  Important areas of research include nuclear security, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, engineering, and energy systems.
• Be interested in the NNSA mission. Information about the NNSA Mission Directorates detailing the NNSA mission can be found at:
  • Maintaining the Stockpile
  • Nonproliferation
  • Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation  
  • Powering the Nuclear Navy
• Meet the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements for the corresponding academic level listed below:
  • One-to-two-year degree or certification: 2.5
  • Four-year undergraduate degree: 3.0
  • Graduate degree: 3.2 minimum

Additional Information

• Eligible MSIs include accredited U.S. postsecondary institutions that meet the statutory criteria for identification as Minority Serving Institutions by the U.S. Department of Education.

  • AANAPISI - Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution
  • ANNH - Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institution
  • HBCU - Historically Black College or University
  • HSI - Hispanic-serving institution
  • NASNTI - Native American-serving nontribal institution
  • PBI - Predominantly Black Institution
  • TCU - Tribal College or University

• Allied Health Science majors (e.g., health lab tech) and art majors are not eligible for this program at this time.
• High School seniors planning to graduate by 2024 summer are eligible to apply.
• Participants in the National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) are encouraged to apply.
• Undergraduate students will have to apply for a graduate scholarship to receive support for their graduate degree. There should not be an assumption or expectation of being selected for graduate support.
• Students planning to complete degree requirements before September 1, 2024, are not eligible to participate in the program unless planning to attend an MSI during the 2024-2025 academic year.
• Students completing degree requirements in Fall 2024/Winter 2025 are ineligible.

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Academic Institution Classification
• Personal Statement: Submit a comprehensive personal statement addressing the following themes and key questions. The entire statement has a 1200-word limit.
  • What interests you about STEM?  What STEM-related degree are you pursuing and why? Describe any experiences or situations that you feel have influenced your interest.
  • We think NNSA is unique. What makes you interested in NNSA? Information about the NNSA Mission Directorates detailing the NNSA mission can be found at:
    • Maintaining the Stockpile
    • Nonproliferation
    • Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation
    • Powering the Nuclear Navy
  • Describe your career plans and how they are related to the Nuclear Security Enterprise. How will this scholarship impact your academic or career pathway (beyond financial support)?
  • Describe how your life’s experiences and beliefs, background, and interests have shaped who you are, led you to your current academic/career path, and prepared you to fulfill your scholarship requirements. You may include a description of any extra-curricular activities in which you have participated (e.g., clubs, teams, camps, mentoring, jobs, internships, etc.)
• Recommendation from a faculty member or academic advisor at the institution where the student is currently attending. Recommendation should address the student’s academic record and potential for success such as demonstrated intellectual merit, communication, and teamwork skills. Recommenders will be asked to submit a recommendation in Zintellect. Letters of recommendation submitted via email will not be accepted. Recommendation must be submitted by May 20, 2024, 8:00 am. High School Seniors may request recommendations from high school educator, previous employer, or other professionals that can address the student’s academic record and potential for success. 
• Academic Records: A copy of an official or unofficial transcript or copies of the academic records from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Transcript or academic records must clearly show the name of the student, name of the academic institution, enrollment during the academic term at the time of application, current/completed/enrolled courses, grades, most recent cumulative GPA, and degree in progress.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Currently pursuing a High School Diploma/GED, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years old by 9/1/2024