Hollings undergraduate scholarship at-a-glance
NOAA Office of Education
Application status: OPEN
The Hollings undergraduate scholarship application is open through January 31, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
This opportunity is open to undergraduate sophomores or third year students in a five year program and includes a paid NOAA internship and academic scholarship. Applications for the 2027 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship opened on September 1, 2026.
The 2027 Hollings scholarship at a glance
Hollings Scholarship
Up to $40,000, including:
- $9,500 stipend per year for junior and senior year
- A 10-week paid NOAA internship
- Funds for travel and conference participation
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizen
- Full-time undergraduate sophomore* at an accredited U.S. college or university
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Major in NOAA mission fields, including STEM and social science
*Eligible applicants for the 2027 application cycle should have an anticipated bachelor's graduation date between December 2028 and August 2029. Community college students planning to transfer to a four-year university in Fall 2027 as an undergraduate junior are also eligible.
About the scholarship
This prestigious scholarship provides students with an academic award of $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time, paid summer internship opportunity at any NOAA facility nationwide. The award also includes funding to present summer internship research at two national scientific conferences.
Helpful links for applying to the Hollings Scholarship
Watch the recording to learn more about the scholarships!
Get a head start on your application!
In April of 2026, the NOAA Office of Education selected 128 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate scholars hailing from a total of 95 different campuses in 40 U.S. states, Guam, and Washington, D.C. Many scholarship alumni have gone on to work full-time at NOAA, while others have worked in areas of the government, in academia, or in the private sector.
Eligibility
The Hollings Scholarship is available to undergraduate students at an accredited college or university in the United States or U.S. territories who are studying engineering, meteorology, biological sciences, social sciences, physical science, and other NOAA mission-relevant disciplines. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Only U.S. citizens may apply.
Eligible students for the 2027 application cycle must have an anticipated bachelor’s graduation date between December 2028 and August 2029. Students who fall into this eligibility window are typically:
- Second year students in a four-year academic program.
- Students in a two-year academic program at a community college with plans to transfer to a four-year academic program.
- Third year students in a five-year undergraduate program.
For a full list of eligibility requirements and more information about the scholarship and application, please visit Prospective scholars and Frequently asked questions for applicants.
Read about present and past scholar experiences
Still wondering if this scholarship is for you? Take a look at the scholar blog to read scholars' posts about their internships, and Hollings news and EPP news pages to find more stories that share the internship experience.
Informational webinar
Register for our upcoming webinars or watch a recording from the 2026 application year below.
- Register for Oct 9, 2026 offsite link, 3:00 p.m. ET
- Register for Dec 4, 2026 offsite link, 3:00 p.m. ET
- Register for Jan 8, 2027 offsite link, 3:00 p.m. ET
View a recording of a 2026 informational webinar that provides information and tips about the Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program and application process.