The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) is a $40,000 scholarship program for U.S. high school seniors planning to pursue STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Sponsored by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Chemours, and the HBCU Week Foundation, FOSSI aims to increase the number of underrepresented professionals in STEM fields.
Award Amount: $10,000 per year for four years ($40,000 total).
Use of Funds: Tuition and university-provided room and board. Students can accept additional scholarships, but not exceeding total education costs.
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Key Dates (2026 Cycle)
- Application Opens: September 26, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
- Scholarship Notifications Begin: April 15, 2026
- College Decision Day: May 1, 2026
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Eligibility Requirements of the FOSSI Scholarship
Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or conditional permanent resident
- Be a high school senior entering college
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA (unweighted, 4.0 scale)
- Pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in an approved STEM field related to the chemical and engineering industries
- Attend an HBCU for the full duration of college
- Demonstrate financial need
- Participate in community service
- Be interested in a career in chemical manufacturing, engineering, environmental health, sustainability, or related chemical-industry fields
Also Check: Lancaster University Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship 2026 in UK
Preferred STEM Majors
FOSSI supports students pursuing these fields (priority majors in bold):
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Agriculture/Plant Science
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Environmental Studies
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Science
- Math
- Physics
- Sustainability
Note: Other STEM fields may not qualify. Students must maintain an approved FOSSI major throughout their four years to remain eligible. FOSSI is not intended for students pursuing careers in nursing, medicine, psychology, social sciences, or veterinary medicine.
Also Check: Dalhousie University Entrance Scholarship 2026 in Canada for Undergraduates
Application Process of the FOSSI Scholarship
- Submission: Online through the FOSSI portal. Mail submissions only if necessary: P.O BOX 1546, Wilmington, DE 19899.
- Review Process: The HBCU Week Foundation administers the scholarship and leads the selection process. Applications first undergo automated screening, then a selection committee evaluates candidates.
- Evaluation Criteria:
- Academic accomplishments
- STEM major
- Financial need
- Relevance of career aspirations to the chemical industry
- Community involvement
- Notification: Founding partners notify recipients by June 1 via phone, email, and official letter.
Renewal and Requirements
- Scholarship is reviewed annually.
- Students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in full-time STEM courses.
- Transferring to a non-HBCU or changing to a non-STEM field makes the scholarship ineligible.
Benefits Beyond Funding
- Leadership development programs
- Mentoring opportunities
- Internships at participating companies
FOSSI provides a pathway to careers such as alternative energy innovator, clean-water expert, or sustainability professional, connecting students with industry leaders in STEM.
