Graduate School

The Beth Ray ARCS Foundation Scholar Award is provided through the ARCS Foundation Oregon Chapter and funded by contributions from former OSU President Ed Ray and the Graduate School. The ARCS Foundation Oregon Chapter advances science and technology in the United States by providing financial awards to academically outstanding students who are U.S. citizens studying to complete Ph.D. degrees in science, engineering, math, technology, and medical research at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University and the University of Oregon.

Nominees for this award must be newly admitted doctoral, domestic graduate students, and pursuing degrees in OSU in any of the ARCS-supported graduate programs.

Award Details

The Beth Ray ARCS Foundation Oregon Scholar Award is $18,000, payable over three years at $6,000 per year. The scholarship will be disbursed in October each year as a direct payment. As an unrestricted award, funds may be used in any way that advances the nominee’s research. This award may be offered in addition to a graduate assistantship or fellowship.

Nomination Period

This specific ARCS award, The Beth Ray ARCS Foundation Oregon Scholar Award, is awarded every three years, with fall 2021 marking its inaugural offering. The current award cycle is for the 2024-2025 academic year with nominations accepted from September 27, 2023 through February 19, 2024.  

Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of the nomination materials in addressing:
  • The nominee’s previous academic success
  • The nominee’s scholarly potential
  • The nominee’s commitment, persistence, and leadership
  • The nominee’s life experiences and background

Nomination Procedure

Each of the eligible ARCS-approved OSU colleges may nominate no more than one nominee (total) per award cycle. 

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee’s graduate program director, department chair/head or appropriate college leadership. Students may not apply directly for this award.

In the online nomination form, nominators will be required to prepare/upload the following materials as one PDF document using the following file name convention:
"Nominee’s Last Name_Department_BethRayARCS.pdf", and upload it through the nomination form.

1. A nominating letter from college leadership or the nominee’s major professor, unit chair/head addressing the following:
   1. The nominee’s previous academic success, scholarly potential, and the potential to grow and succeed in graduate studies.
      • This can be demonstrated by a combination of possible indicators including, but not limited to, prior coursework, degrees, and institutions of higher education; honors, awards, scholarships, or other academic distinctions; scholarly activity at previous institution(s) or employment; scholarly engagement in volunteer or service activities, membership in professional organizations, and research endeavors; the nominee’s skills and aptitudes that support scholarly activity; skills and aptitudes that would support academic success such as motivation, persistence, self-direction, planning, organization, and initiative.
   2. The nominee’s commitment, persistence, and leadership including personal resolve, dedication, and initiative.
      • This can be demonstrated by a combination of indicators including, but not limited to, progression of academic performance over time and contextual factors; extracurricular involvement, including the diversity of activities, duration and type of involvement, and growth in leadership; community service or volunteerism; quality and impact of leadership role(s); personal hardships or obstacles encountered and evidence of resilience.
   3. The nominee’s life experiences and background including the diversity and richness of an individual’s background and the value those bring to the academic context.
      • This can be demonstrated by a combination of indicators including, but not limited to, previous institution(s) attended; previous participation in educational or scholarly programs; previous work experiences; special talents or skills; experiences with overcoming substantial educational or economic obstacles; experience living or working in diverse environments; a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; cross-cultural experiences and opportunities for meaningful engagement with those different from self.

2. A statement from the nominee that speaks to the following areas

   1. Their academic merit and intellectual vitality

      • This can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, their commitment and persistence related to previous academic pursuits, their intellectual curiosity and commitment, and the strengths and skills they bring to their graduate studies.
   2. A discussion of their skills, knowledge, and previous experiences and how those contribute/will contribute to fostering an inclusive and diverse university community.
   3. How this award will support them in their graduate studies.
3. A complete copy of all materials submitted by the nominee as provided through the Graduate School application.
    

Nomination Form

Submit a nomination

The ARCS Foundation Oregon 10th Anniversary OSU Scholar Award is provided through the ARCS Foundation Oregon Chapter and funded by contributions from the Graduate School. The ARCS Foundation Oregon Chapter advances science and technology in the United States by providing financial awards to academically outstanding students who are U.S. citizens studying to complete Ph.D. degrees in science, engineering, math, technology, and medical research at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University and the University of Oregon.

Nominees for this award must be newly admitted doctoral, domestic graduate students, and pursuing degrees in OSU in any of the ARCS-supported graduate programs.

Award Details

This award is $18,000, payable over three years at $6,000 per year. The scholarship will be disbursed in October each year as a direct payment. As an unrestricted award, funds may be used in any way that advances the nominee’s research. This award may be offered in addition to a graduate assistantship or fellowship.

Nomination Period

The nomination period begins on September 27, 2021. All nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m., February 22, 2022. Awards will be announced by mid-March 2022.

This specific ARCS award, ARCS Foundation Oregon 10th Anniversary OSU Scholar Award, is awarded every three years, with fall 2022 marking its inaugural offering. The next award cycle will be for the 2025 academic year.  

Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of the nomination materials in addressing:
  • The nominee’s previous academic success
  • The nominee’s scholarly potential
  • The nominee’s commitment, persistence, and leadership
  • The nominee’s life experiences and background

Nomination Procedure

Each of the eligible ARCS-approved OSU colleges may nominate no more than two nominees (total) per award cycle. 

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee’s graduate program director, department chair/head or appropriate college leadership. Students may not apply directly for this award.

In the online nomination form, nominators will be required to prepare/upload the following materials as one PDF document using the following file name convention:
"Nominee’s Last Name_Department_10thARCS.pdf", and upload it through the nomination form.

1. A nominating letter from college leadership or the nominee’s major professor, unit chair/head addressing the following:
   1. The nominee’s previous academic success, scholarly potential, and the potential to grow and succeed in graduate studies.
      • This can be demonstrated by a combination of possible indicators including, but not limited to, prior coursework, degrees, and institutions of higher education; honors, awards, scholarships, or other academic distinctions; scholarly activity at previous institution(s) or employment; scholarly engagement in volunteer or service activities, membership in professional organizations, and research endeavors; the nominee’s skills and aptitudes that support scholarly activity; skills and aptitudes that would support academic success such as motivation, persistence, self-direction, planning, organization, and initiative.
   2. The nominee’s commitment, persistence, and leadership including personal resolve, dedication, and initiative.
      • This can be demonstrated by a combination of indicators including, but not limited to, progression of academic performance over time and contextual factors; extracurricular involvement, including the diversity of activities, duration and type of involvement, and growth in leadership; community service or volunteerism; quality and impact of leadership role(s); personal hardships or obstacles encountered and evidence of resilience.
   3. The nominee’s life experiences and background including the diversity and richness of an individual’s background and the value those bring to the academic context.
      • This can be demonstrated by a combination of indicators including, but not limited to, previous institution(s) attended; previous participation in educational or scholarly programs; previous work experiences; special talents or skills; experiences with overcoming substantial educational or economic obstacles; experience living or working in diverse environments; a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; cross-cultural experiences and opportunities for meaningful engagement with those different from self.

2. A statement from the nominee that speaks to the following areas

   1. Their academic merit and intellectual vitality

      • This can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, their commitment and persistence related to previous academic pursuits, their intellectual curiosity and commitment, and the strengths and skills they bring to their graduate studies.
   2. A discussion of their skills, knowledge, and previous experiences and how those contribute/will contribute to fostering an inclusive and diverse university community.
   3. How this award will support them in their graduate studies.
3. A complete copy of all materials submitted by the nominee as provided through the Graduate School application.
    

Nomination Form

Coming 2025