Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS)

The ARCS® Foundation Phoenix Chapter advances science and technology in the United States by providing financial awards to academically outstanding doctoral students studying to complete degrees in science, engineering and medical research. Read more about the ARCS Foundation: National organization and Phoenix chapter. 

• Neil deGrasse Tyson, scientist and host of "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey," may be the best-known scholar alumnus of the ARCS award.

• Nine out of 10 ARCS Scholars work in their chosen fields after graduation.

• ARCS Foundation members are volunteers. One hundred percent of contributions they receive directly fund scholars.

• ARCS Foundation has provided nearly $87 million in funding to more than 14,700 scholars since their founding in 1958.

• $8,500/academic year ($4,250 in Fall and $4,250 in Spring)

• Recipient must be a U.S. citizen enrolled full-time in an on-campus immersion doctoral program from approved degree programs list

• Recipient must maintain 3.5+ GPA

• Recipient must be enrolled in 6 or more credits during funding period

1. The SOLS Graduate Office sends a call for nominations to the SOLS Graduate Program Directors: end of August

2. Program Directors will communicate with faculty and students in their individual programs to identify eligible students they would like to nominate. In doing so, they will work with students directly, providing the ARCS application form for the student to fill out.

3. Students must obtain a letter of recommendation (1 page maximum, typically from the student's faculty advisor).

4. The Program Director or student submits the application form and letter of recommendation to sols.grad@asu.edu by the posted deadline, typically at the end of September.

5. The SOLS Graduate Office completes the ARCS nomination form to submit materials to the Graduate College for review.

6. The Graduate College communicates semi-finalists and those not selected in November, but final decisions are shared in March.

In order to be eligible for nomination:

1. Student must be enrolled full-time in an on-campus immersion doctoral program conducting research in an approved degree programs list. List will be provided in the call for nominations sent out per specification of ARCS Foundation.

2. Student must be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.5 GPA.

3. Student must be a citizen of the United States (permanent residents and international students are not eligible). 

Note: Current ARCS fellows do not require department nomination or count toward the limitations set above. Current scholars will re-apply directly to the Graduate College.

Each fellow is personally responsible for individual taxes related to this award. Additional information regarding tax issues related to awards can be found at tax considerations. Specific questions should be directed to a tax advisor or contact the ASU Financial Aid and Scholarship Services. 

An "overaward" is when a student’s need based awards exceed his/her financial need, or the total of the awards exceeds the cost of attendance. If a student has been overawarded, federal regulations require ASU to adjust his/her awards which may result in a reduction in awards or a bill. Need based aid include grants, scholarships, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loans,  and outside resources (i.e. faculty/staff tuition benefits, scholarships, stipends, etc.). Non-need based aid includes unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Graduate PLUS Loans and Private Education Loans. Questions regarding overawards should be directed to the ASU Financial Aid and Scholarship Services.