Biomedical Engineering Scholarships for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

For international students aspiring to excel in biomedical engineering, the path to higher education can be significantly eased with the assistance of scholarships. These scholarships not only provide financial aid but also recognize the talent and potential of future leaders in this interdisciplinary field. This article explores a range of scholarships available to international students pursuing biomedical engineering, encompassing various eligibility criteria and application details.

Opportunities for Underrepresented Students

Several scholarships specifically target students from underrepresented backgrounds, aiming to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

First-Generation Students

One category focuses on first-generation high school seniors who demonstrate financial need and a strong passion for education. This scholarship seeks to support those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education, recognizing the unique challenges they may face.

Ethnic Minority Students

Another scholarship is designed for high school seniors from ethnic minority groups who have been accepted into an ABET-accredited engineering program at a four-year college or university. By targeting ethnic minorities, this scholarship aims to address historical underrepresentation and create a more equitable academic environment.

Women in STEM

Recognizing the gender gap in STEM, several scholarships are dedicated to female students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Some scholarships target female graduating high school seniors or returning female college students who intend to further their education at a two-year or four-year college, university, vocational, or technical school, and have a love of technology. Some scholarships require applicants to be from a specific geographic area, such as the greater Kansas City area. There are scholarships where students would need to film a three-minute video of themselves explaining a STEM topic they are passionate about. The scholarship is open to women who are high school seniors, or undergraduate college students, majoring in a STEM subject. Avomeen has two scholarships for those pursuing an undergraduate degree in STEM. One will be for those who identify as a woman, and the other for those who identify as a minority.

Scholarships Based on Field of Specialization

Some scholarships are tailored to specific areas within engineering, including those relevant to biomedical engineering.

NDT/NDE Specialization

The Maureen L. and Howard N. Blitman P.E. Scholarship is for undergraduate students enrolled in US universities and colleges with recognized engineering programs who choose NDT/NDE (Nondestructive Testing/Nondestructive Evaluation) as their field of specialization.

General STEM Fields

Several scholarships are available to students enrolled in any STEM-related undergraduate program at an accredited university. These broader STEM scholarships can provide valuable financial assistance to biomedical engineering students.

Scholarships for Academic Excellence and Leadership

Some scholarships recognize exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University recognizes the most talented students at the world’s leading graduate schools of business, computer science, bioengineering, and energy science. This program fosters an active, lifelong community of leaders who are committed to making a positive impact on the world.

Study Abroad Scholarships

International learning abroad exposes students to new ideas and cultures, helps diversify their education, and can help open a wide variety of career options. Being able to work and communicate across cultures and international boundaries has become an essential career skill. Because international experience is so important for engineering students, a fair amount of funding is available to engineering majors interested in study abroad. Students who don’t have time to study abroad during the academic year are encouraged to participate in programs offered during winter, spring, and/or summer breaks. For students participating in the BSE/MS Fast Track Program, the first semester of your 5th year is also a good time to study abroad. All biomedical engineering students are strongly encouraged to plan their study abroad experience well in advance of their departure date and consult with their advisors early on in the planning process. If students would like to study abroad during the academic year but can’t seem to find the time, it may be possible to complete some of one's course requirements during a summer.

Various scholarships and grants are available for engineering students interested in gaining international experience. In addition to the various study abroad scholarships offered to UI students through International Programs, eligible students are encouraged to apply for scholarships offered through the College of Engineering.

Robert E. Beckett Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students in a declared College of Engineering major that are interested in the international environment and study abroad. Recipients must demonstrate financial need. Preference for these awards will go to undergraduate students interested in a VIPT program or a CoE-sponsored Study Abroad Program.

Stanley M. Howe Scholarship

This scholarship is available to Iowa residents in a declared Engineering major. Recipients must demonstrate interest in working with energy and/or water in developing countries.

College of Engineering International Travel Award

Any College of Engineering undergraduate who has committed to an international experience and who demonstrates financial need (as determined by the FAFSA) is eligible for this award. It can be used to assist with airfare expenses.

Whitaker International Program

These programs fund post-graduate and master’s BME students to conduct research, pursue coursework, and/or intern abroad.

Semester Programs

The University of New South Wales is a top ranked engineering program. It offers several courses relevant to chemical engineering majors. This program is offered in both the spring and fall semesters. Swansea University offers courses in Medical Engineering. Participants in this program take a British Culture & Politics course-which incorporates various local field trips-then enroll in regular courses at the university. You can attend for a semester or for the academic year. This program is hosted by the Universidad Carlos III, one of Spain’s top-ranking engineering schools. Participants take a series of elective courses-biomedical engineering courses are offered-as well as a Spanish language course and a Spanish culture course. Most courses can be taken in English or Spanish. You can also complete a for-credit Engineering-related internship via this program.

Summer Programs

Participants in this 4-week program take two courses from the following disciplines: engineering, business, economics, journalism, communication studies, and beginning Italian.

International Research Awards

Awards are made to undergraduates who have developed small-scale independent research or fieldwork projects on international topics that require travel abroad-and to graduate students who are in the early stages (pre-proposal stage only) of conducting research abroad for a master’s thesis. Award stipends vary depending on merit and the travel and living costs associated with the research project, but generally they reimburse expenses between $1,000 and $3,000.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Engineering Innovation Awards

Engineering Innovation awards need-based scholarships to commuting or online programs only; funds are not available for merit scholarships or for residential programs, including the hybrid-residential program. Applicants will indicate in their application if they want to apply for scholarship or financial aid. Students who attend a Baltimore City Public School are eligible for an application fee waiver. Motorola Solutions Foundation has provided needs-based scholarship funding to support 14 students who identify as LatinX and/or Black/African American and enroll as a commuting student in Explore Engineering Innovation at one of the locations listed below. The Carroll County (MD) Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks offers need- and merit-based grants for residents of Carroll County (MD) to attend Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Pre-College Programs. If you are a dependent child of a Johns Hopkins employee, your parent(s) may be able to use the Johns Hopkins Tuition Remission Plan to cover tuition fees for Engineering Innovation Pre-College Programs.

ISPEED Program

The Johns Hopkins University Department of Biomedical Engineering sponsors a four-week summer program Immersive Summer Program for Education, Enrichment, and Distinction (ISPEED) in BME.

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