Marshall University has been awarded a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the Physical and Quantitative Sciences (PQS) Scholars Program, a new scholarship and student-support initiative.
Funded through NSF’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program, the PQS Scholars Program will provide scholarships and coordinated academic, mentoring, experiential-learning and career support for students pursuing degrees in chemistry, geology, physics, data science, mathematics and statistics.
“The financial support is an important part of this program, but our goal goes well beyond providing scholarships,” said Anna Mummert, professor of mathematics and principal investigator for the project. “Through this program, students will become part of a community that supports their success from their first STEM courses through graduation and helps them prepare for what comes next, whether that is a career or graduate school.”
Scholars will receive peer and faculty mentoring and academic support, as well as access to funding for research, internship, and field experiences.
The project will also research how coordinated scholarship, mentoring, academic support and professional development contribute to student success.
External evaluation of the program will be conducted by the College of Education and Professional Development’s Evaluation & Assessment Collaborative.
Recruitment for the first cohort of PQS Scholars will begin during the 2026-27 academic year. Applications are expected to open in January 2027 for students entering the program in fall 2027.
Students and families can learn more about the PQS Scholars Program, eligibility requirements, scholarships, and the application process at marshall.edu/pqsscholars or by contacting pqsscholars@marshall.edu.