STEM Scholars Application

Hoʻokahua!

• Build a community of STEM peers, faculty, and staff

• Gain peer and professional mentorship

Ma ka hana ka ʻike!

• Create and teach STEM activities for keiki and ʻohana (PreK-12)

• Mentor high school students

• STEM undergraduate research experiences

• Participate in STEM conferences and competitions

Professional Development and Cultural Knowledge Inquiry!

• NHSEMP ʻOi Ka Naʻauao Spotlight Series

  • • Meet industry, practitioners, and other spotlight speakers

• Participation in site visits, service & workdays, and activities

Financial Opportunities! (pending available funding)

• Financial literacy workshops

• Undergraduate Student Assistant positions

• STEM tutors, research interns, mentors

Student Eligibility

• Designated major is in the STEM fields; 

• Full-time undergraduate status (minimum 12 credits); and

• Designated home campus is the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (as indicated on your MyUH profile).

The following are encouraged to apply:

• Students with a strong interest in / connection to Hawaiian culture, values, and relationship to STEM

• Students who are enthusiastic about advancing Native Hawaiian places of learning

Complete and submit your 2026-27 STEM Scholars Program Application packet by the stated deadline:
September 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM (HST)

The three (3) supplementary documents listed below must be submitted by:

• Uploading directly into the electronic 2026-27 NHSEMP STEM Scholars Application form (link is below)

1. Personal Statement - 

• There is a minimum character count of 1000 (1000 characters = around 150 words, which = around 1/2 page double-spaced)

  • • In MS Word for PCs: "Word Count" tool under the Review tab

    • In MS Word for Macs: "Word Count" tool under the Tools tab

• If you choose to write your statement in a Word document first, you can copy & paste it into your application form

• PROMPT: In your own words, in what ways do STEM and Hawaiian culture support each other?

• IMPORTANT! We want to hear from YOU, not from AI.

  • • Do not use generative AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc) to write this personal statement for you.

2. Cover Letter - Document Format: PDF; File Format Name: CoverLetter_NHSEMP26-27_LastName_FirstName

• A format guideline is provided in the STEM Scholars application form

3. Resume or CV, current - Document Format: PDF; File Format Name: Resume_NHSEMP26-27_LastName_FirstName

• Please include the following information:

  • • Work, volunteer, or research/project experience

    • Laboratory, computer, technical, or other relevant skills;

    • Community service, extracurricular activities, or related hobbies

    • Honors, awards, and/or scholarships

Link to 2026-27 NHSEMP STEM Scholars Application: go.hawaii.edu/5JR

Contact NHSEMP at UH Mānoa at nhsemp@hawaii.edu with Subject Header: "Question - 2026-27 STEM Scholars Program"

Please allow 24-72 business hours for a response.