Scholar Selection Process

How Oregon ARCS Scholars are Selected

The Oregon Chapter annually supports about 27-30 first-year PhD candidates through bequests, endowed funds, donors, member assessment, and chapter fundraising.  

The chapter president notifies the universities regarding how many awards will be available for each of the approved programs. Each university establishes a Scholar Selection Committee for the purpose of selecting top PhD candidates to attend their institutions.

  • ARCS Oregon expects awards to be used primarily for recruitment unless otherwise approved by ARCS Oregon.
  • ARCS Oregon members do not review candidates records or select the candidates for the Scholar Awards.

To be eligible to receive an ARCS Scholar Award, candidates must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher
  • Be enrolled full-time, majoring in fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medical research
  • Be selected without regard to race, gender or religion

As unrestricted awards, funds may be used in any way that supports a scholar's life in pursuit of their doctoral degree.

For more information, contact ARCS Foundation Oregon.

Amber Rolland, UO, Chemistry
The ARCS Scholar Award has been so helpful to me. When my partner first moved out here to join me, it was very hard to find a job in Eugene for several months, and the ARCS Scholar Award kept us afloat during that time when finances were very tight. Receiving the ARCS Scholar Award has meant not having to worry about finances and being able to keep my focus on my academic work and research in pursuit of furthering my education and career. I will forever be thankful to the ARCS Foundation for the tremendous support they give to graduate students like me!