The ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Scholar Awards recognize exceptional graduate students who demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement and show outstanding potential to contribute meaningfully to the global advancement of science and technology.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be a citizen of the United States

  • Must be enrolled full-time in an eligible graduate program (see list below)

  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher

  • Must have at least 2–3 full years remaining to degree completion  

  • May not be enrolled in INTN hours for the Fall semester

  • May not currently utilize federal student loans 

  • Will be selected without regard to race, gender, or religion

Note: Continuing scholars must have at least two full years remaining in the program to qualify. For example, a December graduation in year three would meet this requirement.

 

Students pursuing a graduate degree in any of the following schools may apply:

College of Computing

  • School of Computer Science - All departments and programs

College of Engineering

  • School of Aerospace Engineering (AE) - All departments and programs
  • School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - All departments and programs
  • School of Civil & Environmental Engineering - All departments and programs
  • School of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) - All departments and programs
  • School of Industrial and Systems Engineering - All departments and programs
  • School of Materials Science Engineering - All departments and programs
  • School of Mechanical Engineering (ME) - All departments and programs

College of Sciences

  • School of Biological Sciences - All departments and programs
  • School of Chemistry and Biochemistry - All departments and programs
  • School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences - All departments and programs
  • School of Mathematics - All departments and programs
  • School of Physics - All departments and programs
  • School of Psychology - All departments and programs

Interdisciplinary

  • Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization (jointly sponsored by the College of Computing, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and the School of Mathematics)
  • Bioinformatics (spans six academic units within the College of Engineering, College of Science, and College of Computing)
  • Quantitative Biosciences (50 participating program faculty representing six participating Schools within the College of Sciences)

Joint Program at Georgia Tech and Emory University

  • Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) (Interdisciplinary faculty from Colleges of Engineering, Computing, Sciences, and Architecture as well as Emory University School of Medicine)
     

2026 ARCS Competition

All application components, including the faculty advisor’s letter, must be submitted electronically via the GT InfoReady platform by Tuesday, July 28 at 11:59 PM.

Learn More & Apply

Important Dates

  • July 30: Internal GT deadline for complete application submission

  • Mid-August: Selected Scholars notified by ARCS

  • September 7: Deadline for selected Scholars to submit data form and required documents

  • October 22: Notification of donor names and contact information

  • October 30: Scholars mail handwritten thank-you notes to donors

  • November 11: 2026 Scholar Awards Celebration (in-person event; attendance required)

  • March/April 2027: Scholars send research/activity updates to donors

Questions?

Contact the Graduate Fellowships Manager at fellowships@grad.gatech.edu. 

Read more about ARCS.