EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Here’s a clear, organized version of that announcement written the way a smart high school teacher would explain it—direct, practical, and focused on what you need to know and do.

Status and timeline
- Application status: OPEN.
- Application window for the 2026 Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship opens October 1, 2025 and closes January 31, 2026. (If a federal government shutdown continues, NOAA may extend the deadline.)
- Note: The U.S. government is currently closed. The online application system (USPA) is still available, but NOAA staff cannot answer questions or emails until the government reopens. You can continue working on your application now.

What the Hollings Scholarship provides
- Up to $40,000 total support, including:
- $9,500 per year for two years of full-time undergraduate study (typically junior and senior years),
- A paid, 10-week NOAA summer internship,
- Funding to travel and present your summer research at two national scientific conferences.

Who should consider applying
- U.S. citizens enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college, university, or community college (or in a U.S. territory).
- Students majoring in NOAA mission-relevant fields: engineering, meteorology, biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and other STEM-related disciplines.
- Eligible academic standing:
- Second-year students in a standard four-year program (rising juniors),
- Students in a two-year community college program who plan to transfer to a four-year school,
- Third-year students in a five-year undergraduate program.

Basic eligibility requirements
- U.S. citizen.
- Minimum GPA: 3.0.
- Major in a NOAA mission field (see list above).

Context and outcomes
- In April 2025 NOAA named 130 Hollings scholars from 85 campuses across 33 states, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Washington, D.C.
- There was no EPP (José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program) undergraduate scholarship class for 2025, and NOAA has said there will not be a 2026 EPP class due to budget uncertainty.
- Many Hollings alumni go on to careers at NOAA, other government agencies, universities, and in the private sector.

Practical next steps (what I’d advise as your teacher)
1. Put the application deadline (Jan 31, 2026) and the October 1 opening date on your calendar. Start early—applications can take time.
2. Gather materials now: unofficial transcripts, resume/CV, a draft personal statement, and a list of potential recommenders.
3. Use the USPA portal to begin or save your application while the system is up.
4. Check the Hollings and EPP FAQ pages for complete eligibility rules and application instructions. NOAA will post updates there if the shutdown affects deadlines or support.

Bottom line
This is a strong opportunity—funding, internship experience, and conference travel—all tied to NOAA mission areas. If you meet the basic eligibility (U.S. citizen, 3.0 GPA, and a relevant major/standing), start preparing your materials now so you’ll be ready when the application opens on October 1.