PURPOSE

The UNCF/Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards are intended to encourage the interest of African American undergraduate students in furthering their science education and pursuing biological, chemical or engineering science careers by providing tuition support and opportunities for research and engineering experience in a state-of-the-art industrial laboratory.

AWARD DESCRIPTION

Awards up to $30,000.

At least 15 Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Awards will be made in 2012. Each award is up to a maximum of $30,000 that consists of a scholarship award of up to $25,000 and a summer research internship stipend of at least $5,000. For administrative purposes, the scholarship portion of the awards will be sent directly to the institutions of the award recipients. As the scholarship award is intended to support the award recipient’s tuition, room and board, and billable fees, no part of the award may be used for indirect costs. Awards are not transferable and may not be used at institutions abroad. Awards will be distributed for a September 1, 2012 start date.

Scholarship Award and Summer Internships

Each award recipient will receive a Scholarship Award of up to $25,000 to support tuition, room and board, and billable fees for the academic year 2012-13. Award recipients will be known as UNCF/Merck Undergraduate Fellows. An award recipient may not receive more funds than are adequate to cover his/her tuition, fees and room and board costs for one academic year.

In addition to the scholarship award, each award recipient will be mentored by a Merck scientist and receive a ten to twelve-week Merck Summer Internship assignment. This ten to twelve-week internship carries a stipend of at least $5,000 which is subject to tax withholding. The actual stipend amount will be determined according to the current compensation scale set by the Merck facility. The internship stipend is payable directly to the award recipient. Each internship will be conducted under the guidance of the Merck mentor at a Merck facility. Merck will offer optional housing but interns are responsible for room and board costs. Round trip public transportation to and from internships will be provided. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the Fellow. The internship assignment will take place during the summer of 2012.

In summary, each 2011 award will consist of the following:

• A 10 to 12-week summer internship in 2012 with a stipend of at least $5,000
• Tuition scholarship of up to $25,000 for the academic year 2012-13