Quest for Excellence: STEM

The Quest for Excellence STEM Award supports high-achieving, low-income high school juniors with career interests in the sciences, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics. Awardees receive up to $1,000 to support their STEM pursuits and path to college. These awards are intended to encourage and support students in pursuing and succeeding in a variety of STEM fields in college and beyond. This initiative is made possible through the generosity of several donors.

College Prep Scholars selected for the Quest for Excellence STEM Award will receive:

Up to $1,000 for:

  • A new laptop
  • Coverage in travel costs to QuestBridge college partners
  • Resources to enhance the student's college application (online courses, test prep, test registration fees, and more)

Select awardees will also receive a full scholarship to the online Pioneer Research Program.*

*The Pioneer Research Program is a global virtual research institute that gives interest-driven high-achieving high school students the opportunity to conduct research that meets the highest standards of undergraduate-level work. These studies culminate in a full-length research paper certified by Pioneer. Since 2012, 4,192 students from 71 countries and regions have completed the program. Whether in STEM, social sciences, or humanities, Pioneer provides its scholars with broad institutional research resources through one-on-one professor mentorship, an unparalleled academic system, online undergraduate libraries, and the global Pioneer alumni network.

Eligibility

High school juniors who:

  • Have special skills and interest interests in the sciences, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics
  • Are academically and financially qualified as a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar

How to Apply

  1. Start a College Prep Scholars Program application.
  2. On the Quest for Excellence Awards page, select the box under "STEM" and complete the short essay.
  3. If you are interested in being considered for the online summer program, select the corresponding box and answer the additional prompts at the bottom of the page.
  4. Complete and submit the College Prep Scholars Program application by the deadline.

If selected as a College Prep Scholar, recipients of the Quest for Excellence STEM Award will be notified by late June. If you have additional questions about the Quest for Excellence STEM Award, please send inquiries to questions@questbridge.org.