Gerontology
Gerontology is the study of the social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of ageing. The word was coined by Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov in 1903, from the Greek γέρων, geron, "old man" and -λογία, -logia, "study of". The field is distinguished from geriatrics, which is the branch of medicine that specializes in the treatment of existing disease in older adults. Gerontologists include researchers and practitioners in the fields of biology, nursing, medicine, criminology, dentistry, social work, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, economics, political science, architecture, geography, pharmacy, public health, housing, and anthropology.
The multidisciplinary nature of gerontology means that there are a number of sub-fields which overlap with gerontology. There are policy issues, for example, involved in government planning and the operation of nursing homes, investigating the effects of an ageing population on society, and the design of residential spaces for older people that facilitate the development of a sense of place or home. Dr. Lawton, a behavioral psychologist at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center, was among the first to recognize the need for living spaces designed to accommodate the elderly, especially those with Alzheimer's disease. As an academic discipline the field is relatively new. The USC Leonard Davis School created the first PhD, master's and bachelor's degree programs in gerontology in 1975.
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Scholarships for Gerontology Majors
Inge Paul and John R. Stafford Scholarship for BioinformaticsDickinson College |
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award $38,000 |
deadline January 15, 2026 |
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DescriptionThe Inge Paul and John R. Stafford Scholarship for Bioinformatics is available to incoming freshman students at Dickinson College who demonstrates superiority in the life sciences. Selected recipients will also receive $3,000 in total research support to be used any time during the scholar’s four years at Dickinson. View Scholarship Details |
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Edith Nourse Rogers STEM ScholarshipU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
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award Up to $30,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is available to military veterans and their dependents who are pursuing studies in STEM fields. You must be a recipient of the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship to be eligible for this award, which acts as an extension to expiring benefits of those programs. View Scholarship Details |
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Nancy Shaw McKee ScholarshipClarion University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences |
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award Up to $22,030 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Nancy Shaw McKee Scholarship is available to majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences at Clarion University. Your selection for this award will be based on academic performance and financial need. In order to be considered for this award, you must first be nominated by a faculty member. Once nominated, you will need to submit a "Goals... View Scholarship Details |
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Antoinette Murray ScholarshipUniversity of Saint Francis, Indiana |
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award Up to $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Antoinette Murray Scholarship is available to students at the University of Saint Francis who are majoring in education or science, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and complete 20 hours of volunteer service per year at a verifiable non-profit organization. View Scholarship Details |
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SBB Research STEM ScholarshipSBB Research Group |
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award $2,500 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe SBB Research STEM Scholarship is available to full - time undergraduate and graduate students. You must be pursuing a degree in STEM to be eligible for this award. You must also submit an essay on the following topic: “What have been your most significant experiences in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and how will... View Scholarship Details |
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Renaissance Society ScholarshipCalifornia State University, Sacramento |
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award $2,500 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Renaissance Society Scholarship is available to sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate student at California State University, Sacramento. You must be enrolled at least half-time, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be majoring in gerontology to qualify for this award. An essay is required. View Scholarship Details |
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Dr. Hong Li Memorial ScholarshipUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - School of Social Work |
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award $1,725 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Dr. Hong Li Memorial Scholarship is available to students at the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate an interest in working with and/or researching aging and aging populations. View Scholarship Details |
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Robert and Betty Barbour ScholarshipMadonna University |
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award $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Robert and Betty Barbour Scholarship is available to full-time students at Madonna University. You must be studying a health-related program and have a minimum GPA of 3.2 to be considered for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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Outer Drive Hospital Auxiliary ScholarshipMadonna University |
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award $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Outer Drive Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship is available to full-time sophomores, juniors and seniors at Madonna University. You must be studying a health-related program and have a minimum GPA of 3.2 to be considered for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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Nancy Kriegler ScholarshipMadonna University |
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award $750 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Nancy Kriegler Scholarship is available to full-time students at Madonna University. You must be a gerontology, hospice, or nursing major with a minimum GPA of 3.2 to be considered for this award. View Scholarship Details |
Gerontology Related Majors
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- International/Globalization Studies
- Human Biology
- Nutrition Sciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Accounting and Computer Science
- Behavioral Sciences
- Marine Sciences
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Computational Science
- Biopsychology
- Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
- Cognitive Science
- Business Analytics
- Science, Technology and Society
- History and Political Science
- Museology/Museum Studies
- Natural Sciences
- Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
- Sustainability Studies