Soaring demand for scientists to analyze the 2.5 quintillion bytes of data created daily has ignited an increase in big data and data science scholarships.
Data science is an interdisciplinary STEM field that is offering bachelor’s to doctoral degrees focused on extracting knowledge from volumes of collected data during research. According to Analytics India Magazine, in addition to the recession associated with Covid-19, there will also be an uprise in automation for businesses, and with that if data scientists do not upskill and re-skill themselves, there will be a shortage of skilled data scientists in the industry. Studying big data can prepare you for abundant positions like:
- data analyst
- database administrator
- data architect
- data engineer
- analytics consultant
- quantitative analyst
There are plenty of scholarships data science students can apply for! Turn your love for numbers into dollar signs by applying for some of the following money-saving data analytics scholarships. If you are looking to truly make your mark in this field, you will likely find yourself looking for the best data science masters programs so don’t be shy when it comes to applying for scholarships!
Data Science Scholarships 2022
1. ACM SIGHPC Computational & Data Science Fellowship
Deadline: April 30th
The Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) Special Interest Group on High Performance Computing (SIGHPC) provides the Computational & Data Science Fellowship worth $15,000 annually to master’s or doctoral students conducting research with large-scale big data. Eligible nominees will be females or members of racial minority groups who have completed less than half of their computing degrees at accredited U.S. colleges.
Contact
ACM SIGHPC Computational & Data Science Fellowship
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 701
New York, NY 10121
(212) 869-7440
treasurer@sighpc.org
2. Acxiom Corporation Diversity Scholarship
Deadline: December 31st
As a publicly traded marketing analytics firm founded in 1969, Acxiom Corporation proudly began the Diversity Scholarship Initiative to award $5,000 yearly to nine full-time college students majoring in:
- computer science
- computer information systems
- data science
- statistics
- math
- information quality
- related fields
These data science specific scholarships are available to students:
- attaining at least junior status in their bachelor’s degree program
- belonging to a historically underrepresented group
- achieving a minimum 3.0 GPA
- agreeing to internships at Acxiom offices
Contact
Acxiom Corporation Diversity Scholarship
301 E. Dave Ward Drive
Conway, AR 72032
(877) 314-2049
Candice.Davis@acxiom.com
3. Mathematical Sciences Graduate Scholarship
Deadline: March 31
Central Connecticut State University offers a scholarship program funded by the Fuller Trust. Scholarship applicants must have matriculated in or applied to a graduate program within the Department of Mathematical Sciences. These renewable big data scholarships are worth up to $200 per credit (up to $800 per semester). Applications are reviewed based on academic merit. Graduate students must use their awards within one calendar year.
4. GAANN Fellowships in Computer and Information Sciences for Artificial Intelligence Research
Deadline: November 30th
One of the most lucrative big data scholarships is offered through Worcester Polytechnic Institute. WPI utilizes the U.S. Department of Education’s Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Grant to deliver six PhD Fellowships in Artificial Intelligence Research for three years. Recipients of these fully funded PhD in data science awards receive:
- an annual stipend of up to $34,000 based on need
- full tuition and fees
- health insurance coverage
Candidates must plan pursue a PhD in artificial intelligence research. Doctoral students will study artificial intelligence in collaboration with WPI faculty from Computer Science, Data Science, or Learning Sciences and Technology. Candidates must be:
- federal aid eligible under 34 CFR 75.60
- present exceptional academic records
- have financial need
- be a US citizen, a US national, or permanent resident of the US
Contact
GAANN PhD Fellowship in Big Data Computing Research
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609
(508) 831-5000
DS-GAANN@wpi.edu
5. Richard P. Covert, PhD, LFHIMSS Scholarship for Management Systems
Deadline: October 6
This unique scholarship opportunity is offered by the HIMSS Foundation. Funding is available to students pursuing a degree that utilizes management engineering. Candidates must be at least a first-term junior at the time of the award. Applicants must be:
- current HIMSS Student Members in good standing
- taking coursework in an accredited undergraduate, masters or doctoral program
- pursuing a degree in an area related to health information and technology or healthcare management systems fields
This $5,000 award is given to one student.
Contact
HIMSS
350 N. Orleans St. Suite S100000
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 664-4467
6. Ike Wai Graduate Scholarship Program
Deadline: February 1st
Funded by the NSF, the Ike Wai Graduate Scholarship belongs to the EPSCoR Hawaii Program to provide $29,148 annually to full-time graduate research assistants at the University of Hawaii-Manoa who are earning research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in:
- geoscience
- data science
- engineering
- social science
- Hawaiian language
These two-year big data scholarships will require working 20 hours weekly at an Ike Wai research lab on projects that ensure the Aloha State’s future water security.
Contact
Ike Wai Graduate Scholarship Program
1680 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-3154
barb@hawaii.edu
7. Women in Operations Research-Bayer Scholarship
Deadline: February 13th
Partnered with Bayer, the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences offers a scholarship program for female grad students who are interested in the field of operations research. Applicants must be pursuing either a master’s or doctorate degree in operations research or analytics. They must also be a member of the Analytics Society of INFORMS. The winner receives $1,300 to cover the cost of registration and travel expenses to attend the INFORMS Annual Meeting. Applications are judged based on their:
- statement of purpose
- letter of recommendation
- resume or CV
- level of involvement or services to INFORMS
Contact
INFORMS
5521 Research Park Drive, Suite 200
Catonsville, MD 21228
(800) 446-3676
informs@informs.org
8. Jack Larson Data for Public Good Fellowship
Deadline: Varies
Started in January 2017, the Jack Larson Data for Public Good Fellowship is awarded by the School of Information at the University of California-Berkeley to honor the Haas Hall of Famer who received Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Service Award. The program will select six students pursuing the Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) degree for the $8,500 scholarships annually. Preference is given to post-grads using big data to benefit human life.
The award was designed to support students who want to use data science to benefit society. Applicants should have a background working for :
- non-profits
- government
- community service organizations
Recipients are selected based on:
- service background
- vision/plan for using data for societal benefit
- career plans
- financial need
Contact
Jack Larson Data for Public Good Fellowship
102 South Hall #4600
Berkeley, CA 94720
(855) 678-6437
studentsupport@datascience.berkeley.edu
9. Lilly Endowment Scholarship for Data Science
Deadline: June 15th
At Saint Mary’s College, the Lilly Endowment Scholarship provides $1,000 per term for $5,000 total to outstanding male or female post-grads who are pursuing the mathematically rigorous M.S. in Data Science program. Qualified recipients must legally reside in Indiana and have graduated from an accredited Indiana college within the last 12 months. Applicants must have:
- completed two semesters of calculus
- maintain a 3.0 GPA or better
- exhibit computer programming experience
Contact
Lilly Endowment Scholarship for Data Science
339 Madeleva Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-5291
cwedrych@saintmarys.edu
10. Milliman Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Deadline: June 1st
The Milliman Opportunity Scholarship Fund was created to assist undergraduate students who have historically been under-represented in data science and related field. The program is administered by Scholarship America. The Scholarship Fund awards 15-25 awards of no less than $5,000 payable to the recipient’s University. Eligible candidates must have at least one birth parent who is a member of one of these groups:
- African decent
- Latino/Hispanic
- Native North American
- Pacific Islander
Eligibility depends on students’ admission into accredited, four-year U.S. colleges for actuarial majors like:
- data science
- data analytics
- economics
- statistics
- mathematics
- computer science
- programming
Contact
Milliman Opportunity Scholarship Fund
One Scholarship Way
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 931-1682
milliman-opportunity@scholarshipamerica.org
11. MinneAnalytics Data Science Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
MinneAnalytics, a Minnesota nonprofit with more than 10,000 members, awards the Data Science Scholarship for $1,000 before selecting a grand prize winner of $5,000 in December. Administered by the Minnesota High Tech Association Foundation, the big data scholarships suit undergrads and post-grads at accredited in-state universities who are pursuing analytics careers with community engagement. Interested students should reach out to their college about their participation in the Scholarship. Past recipients attend:
- UM-Duluth
- UM-Twin Cities
- Winona State
Contact
MinneAnalytics Data Science Scholarship
200 SE Oak Street
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 624-5747
Dan@minneanalytics.org
12. Remote DBA Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
Since 2015, Remote DBA has provided $1,000 through the Experts to Students Scholarship to financially support high school seniors or current college undergrads who are pursuing data-focused careers with accredited training in:
- data science
- database administration
- data analytics
Interested current college undergrads must have a GPA of at least 2.5. Graduating high school seniors should have at least a 3.0. Candidates must submit an:
- online application
- cover letter explaining how they will use the scholarship
- 500-word essay on the topic “My vision for the world 20 years from now: How access to data and technology will change everything around us.”
Contact
Remote DBA Experts to Students Scholarship
100 E. Broward Blvd., Suite 1700
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(800) 818-2126
student-scholarship@remotedba.com
13. Russ Peterson Technology Scholarship
Deadline: February 28th
The CUNY School of Professional Studies in Manhattan awards nearly $400,000 yearly through financial aid, including the Russ Peterson Technology Scholarship. This merit-based program supports full-time students with big data career goals who are within 30 credits of completing their:
- B.S. in Information Systems
- B.S. in Health Information Management
- M.S. in Data Analytics
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA above 3.0. Other options include the Eugene Walters Scholarship and Bob Martin Memorial Scholarship.
Contact
Russ Peterson Technology Scholarship
119 W. 31st Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 652-2869
scholarships@sps.cuny.edu
14. Erik Duval Travel Scholarship
Deadline: May 20th
If you are a data science student and want to attend SoLAR’s Learning Analytics Summer Institute, this is an opportunity for you. The Society for Learning Analytics Research awards scholarships to fund doctoral and masters degree students currently enrolled in a data analytics or data science program. Candidates must:
- be a member of SoLAR
- submit a letter of recommendation
- complete an application
- provide proof of enrollment
This opportunity allows aspiring data scientists to be a part of a global learning community focused on data science. Applicants must submit an essay indicating how this opportunity will support their learning and what they’d like to learn from the conference.
Contact
Nicole Hoover, SoLAR Event and Management Coordinator
solarsocietymgmt@gmail.com
15. Bloomberg’s Data Science PhD Fellowship
Deadline: April 15th
Bloomberg’s Data Science PhD Fellowship is an exceptional program that provides support and funding to a successful PhD candidates working in data science. The program includes:
- 100% of the cost of tuition
- $35,000 per year living stipend
- up to $5,000 to attend professional conferences
- a Bloomberg mentor
- a 14 week paid summer research internship
Applicants must submit:
- curriculum vitae
- research proposal
- reference letter
Contact
rdml@bloomberg.net
Thankfully, there are data science grants and scholarships are available to aspiring professionals. Data on higher education tuition can even leave data science majors astounded. According to the Institute of College Access and Success, the average student faces $30,100 in post-graduation debt before interest. The 44 million borrowers across America share an outstanding student loan debt of $1.41 trillion for a mean default rate of 11.8 percent. Although Salary.com posts that data scientists make a median annual wage of $122,258, stomaching hefty loan bills can be challenging. Fortunately, financial aid like these data science scholarship opportunities are growing to relieve the burden for students who can demonstrate financial need.
Related Resources:
- How Useful is a Data Science Degree?
- What Can I Do with a Graduate Certificate in Data Science?
- What Industries Use Data Science?
- Will Data Science Become Automated?
- Will Data Science Continue to Exist Prominently in the Future?
- Will Data Science Replace Actuaries?