ARCS Foundation. ARCS Foundation, Inc. (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) is an American nonprofit volunteer women's organization that promotes US competitiveness by providing financial awards to academically outstanding U.S. citizens studying to complete degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and health disciplines at 51 of the nation's leading research universities. The organization has awarded more than $136 million to 11,000 scholars since 1958. ARCS Foundation Scholars have produced thousands of research publications and patents, secured billions in grant funding, started science-related companies, and played a significant role in teaching and mentoring young people in the STEM pipeline.

History 

In 1958, a group of visionary women volunteers from Los Angeles, California, led by Florence Malouf met with California Institute of Technology President Lee DuBridge to discuss what could be done to elevate the nation's scientific leadership and competitiveness. They created a unique partnership between science and society, and ARCS Foundation soon became a model for women's science educational philanthropy. Learn more.

Investing in graduate students through grants was viewed as a targeted, effective way to further science philanthropy in America. ARCS Foundation also brought stronger focus to women's leadership in science philanthropy as the organization grew nationally. Initially focused on the US space program, chapters were formed in Houston and Washington, D.C. Chapters, where they cultivated strong relationships, raising funds and supporting scholars from leading universities in their home states.

More chapters followed, affiliating with the national organization to advocate for education and research and to engage public awareness of science challenges and successes.

ARCS Foundation is still a group of women focused on the future, proud of its dynamic history of giving and growing. 1,160 members in 15 chapters across the U.S. dedicate volunteer hours and financial support.

Supported disciplines have expanded to include basic and applied scientific research in 42 areas of study, from agriculture to zoology, under parameters established by ARCS Foundation's  founders and expressed by the objective as declared on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, CA on September 18, 1958: ". . . raise money for scholarships and fellowships (now known as Scholar Awards) . . . for the support of both undergraduate and graduate students."

Chapters 
ARCS Chapters carry the mission of the organization to different regions of the United States.

The 15 ARCS Chapters, in the order they were established, are:

 Los Angeles Founding, 1958
 Metro Washington, 1968
 Northern California, 1970
 Honolulu, Hawaii, 1974
 Phoenix, Arizona, 1975
 Colorado, 1976
 Illinois, 1977
 Seattle, Washington, 1978
 San Diego, 1985
 Atlanta, Georgia, 1992
 Orange County, California, 1999
 Pittsburgh, 2003
 Oregon, 2004
 Minnesota, 2009
 Utah, 2009

ARCS Scholars 

ARCS Scholars are selected annually by qualifying departments of science, engineering and medical research within ARCS Foundation's 51 academic partner universities and colleges.  ARCS Foundation neither solicits nor accepts applications from potential ARCS Scholars. ARCS Foundation's academic partners identify and select ARCS Scholars who meet the following criteria to be eligible for funding:

 be a United States citizen
 be enrolled in a full-time degree-granting program, majoring in fields of science, engineering or medical research
 have a GPA of 3.5 or higher

Notable Alumni and ARCS Scholar Alumni Hall of Fame 
Notable ARCS Scholars include computing pioneer Albert Greenberg. Since 2015, the organization has inducted particularly distinguished ARCS Scholars into the ARCS Alumni Hall of Fame for demonstrating leadership in one or more of the following areas:

 Scientific innovation and discovery
 Recognition by peers
 Mentoring future scientists to fill in the STEM pipeline
 Founding or leading an organization that has had a significant impact on the US economy
 Increasing awareness of the importance of national scientific competitiveness

Members of the ARCS Foundation Scholar Alumni Hall of Fame

Academic Partners/Approved Universities  

ARCS Approved Universities are U.S. universities whose science, technology, engineering, and mathematics departments are ranked in the top 100 in the country.

U.S. universities and colleges where ARCS Scholars are found:

Outcomes

Philanthropic 
Philanthropic accomplishments include:

21,214 awards granted
$136,886,931 total funding
21,214 scholars funded

Membership 
Membership accomplishments include:

1,160 members
15 national chapters

References 

Organizations established in 1958
Scholarships in the United States
Educational organizations based in the United States
1958 establishments in California