Natural Sciences

Natural science is a branch of science concerned with the description, prediction, and understanding of natural phenomena, based on empirical evidence from observation and experimentation. Mechanisms such as peer review and repeatability of findings are used to try to ensure the validity of scientific advances.

Natural science can be divided into two main branches: life science (or biological science) and physical science. Physical science is subdivided into branches, including physics, chemistry, astronomy and earth science. These branches of natural science may be further divided into more specialized branches (also known as fields).

In Western society's analytic tradition, the empirical sciences and especially natural sciences use tools from formal sciences, such as mathematics and logic, converting information about nature into measurements which can be explained as clear statements of the "laws of nature". The social sciences also use such methods, but rely more on qualitative research, so that they are sometimes called "soft science", whereas natural sciences, insofar as they emphasize quantifiable data produced, tested, and confirmed through the scientific method, are sometimes called "hard science".

Modern natural science succeeded more classical approaches to natural philosophy, usually traced to ancient Greece. Galileo, Descartes, Bacon, and Newton debated the benefits of using approaches which were more mathematical and more experimental in a methodical way. Still, philosophical perspectives, conjectures, and presuppositions, often overlooked, remain necessary in natural science. Systematic data collection, including discovery science, succeeded natural history, which emerged in the 16th century by describing and classifying plants, animals, minerals, and so on. Today, "natural history" suggests observational descriptions aimed at popular audiences.

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Scholarships for Natural Sciences Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Up to $30,000 Varies See Details

Description

The 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.

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Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

award

Up to $30,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The 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.

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Father James B. Macelwane Annual Award - American Meteorological Society (AMS) - June, 2023

American Meteorological Society (AMS)

$20,000 May 23, 2025 See Details

Description

The Father James B. Macelwane Annual Award is available to undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. Selection is based on a submission of an original student paper concerned with some phase of the atmospheric sciences, abstract, and letter of recommendation.

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Father James B. Macelwane Annual Award - American Meteorological Society (AMS) - June, 2023

American Meteorological Society (AMS)

award

$20,000

deadline

May 23, 2025
See Details

Description

The Father James B. Macelwane Annual Award is available to undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. Selection is based on a submission of an original student paper concerned with some phase of the atmospheric sciences, abstract, and letter of recommendation.

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AMS Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science - American Meteorological Society (AMS)

American Meteorological Society (AMS)

Up to $20,000 May 23, 2025 See Details

Description

The AMS Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science is available to graduate students who are pursuing a degree in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. Selection is based on academic merit, description of dissertation topic, proposed research plan, and three letters of recommendation.

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AMS Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science - American Meteorological Society (AMS)

American Meteorological Society (AMS)

award

Up to $20,000

deadline

May 23, 2025
See Details

Description

The AMS Graduate Fellowship in the History of Science is available to graduate students who are pursuing a degree in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. Selection is based on academic merit, description of dissertation topic, proposed research plan, and three letters of recommendation.

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Astronaut Scholarship in Science and Technology

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation

Up to $15,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Astronaut Scholarship in Science and Technology is open to students majoring in engineering, natural science, applied science, or mathematics. You must attend one of the participating educational institutions to be considered for this award. U.S. citizenship is also a requirement. You must be nominated by faculty or staff in your...

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Astronaut Scholarship in Science and Technology

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation

award

Up to $15,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Astronaut Scholarship in Science and Technology is open to students majoring in engineering, natural science, applied science, or mathematics. You must attend one of the participating educational institutions to be considered for this award. U.S. citizenship is also a requirement. You must be nominated by faculty or staff in your...

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EAGLES Scholarship - PSU

Portland State University

$10,000 Varies See Details

Description

The EAGLES Scholarship is available to junior-level and above students at Portland State University who are pursuing a degree in STEM. To be considered for this renewable award, you must be from an underrepresented background in STEM. Selection is based on academic merit and financial need. Students also receive mentorship from faculty and...

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EAGLES Scholarship - PSU

Portland State University

award

$10,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The EAGLES Scholarship is available to junior-level and above students at Portland State University who are pursuing a degree in STEM. To be considered for this renewable award, you must be from an underrepresented background in STEM. Selection is based on academic merit and financial need. Students also receive mentorship from faculty and...

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Big Bang Theory Scholarship

University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)

$10,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Big Bang Theory Scholarship is available to undergraduate students majoring in a STEM field at the University of California-Los Angeles. To be considered for this award, you must be a resident of Southern California, demonstrate financial need, and show a strong commitment to STEM studies and extracurriculars.

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Big Bang Theory Scholarship

University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)

award

$10,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Big Bang Theory Scholarship is available to undergraduate students majoring in a STEM field at the University of California-Los Angeles. To be considered for this award, you must be a resident of Southern California, demonstrate financial need, and show a strong commitment to STEM studies and extracurriculars.

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Veterans and Family Scholarship

For A Bright Future Foundation

Up to $10,000 May 31, 2025 See Details

Description

The Veterans and Family Scholarship is available to military veterans and their families. You must be pursuing a career in STEM, education, or sustainability and have at least a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.

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Veterans and Family Scholarship

For A Bright Future Foundation

award

Up to $10,000

deadline

May 31, 2025
See Details

Description

The Veterans and Family Scholarship is available to military veterans and their families. You must be pursuing a career in STEM, education, or sustainability and have at least a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.

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Richard and Muriel Saunders Family Scholarship

Colorado Mesa University

$10,000 September 01, 2025 See Details

Description

The Richard and Muriel Saunders Family Scholarship is available to first generation students at Colorado Mesa University. To be considered for this award, you should demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students majoring in nursing, physician assistant, engineering, science or pre-medical.

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Richard and Muriel Saunders Family Scholarship

Colorado Mesa University

award

$10,000

deadline

September 01, 2025
See Details

Description

The Richard and Muriel Saunders Family Scholarship is available to first generation students at Colorado Mesa University. To be considered for this award, you should demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students majoring in nursing, physician assistant, engineering, science or pre-medical.

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NY Society of Cosmetic Chemists Board Choice Scholarship

New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists

$7,500 June 30, 2025 See Details

Description

The NY Society of Cosmetic Chemists Board Choice Scholarship is available to sophomore-level and above undergraduate students and graduate students of any level. To be considered for this award, you must be must be enrolled in a program related to cosmetic science (chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, pharmaceutical science, or related...

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NY Society of Cosmetic Chemists Board Choice Scholarship

New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists

award

$7,500

deadline

June 30, 2025
See Details

Description

The NY Society of Cosmetic Chemists Board Choice Scholarship is available to sophomore-level and above undergraduate students and graduate students of any level. To be considered for this award, you must be must be enrolled in a program related to cosmetic science (chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, pharmaceutical science, or related...

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UHD Scholars Academy Scholarship

University of Houston - Downtown Scholars Academy

Up to $6,000 Varies See Details

Description

The UHD Scholars Academy Scholarship is available to full- time entering freshmen and transfer students who are enrolled in the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Engineering Technology, or Natural Sciences at the University of Houston - Downtown (UHD). Applicants must have a minimum score of 500 on SAT Math and Critical Reading...

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UHD Scholars Academy Scholarship

University of Houston - Downtown Scholars Academy

award

Up to $6,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The UHD Scholars Academy Scholarship is available to full- time entering freshmen and transfer students who are enrolled in the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Engineering Technology, or Natural Sciences at the University of Houston - Downtown (UHD). Applicants must have a minimum score of 500 on SAT Math and Critical Reading...

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