We are pleased to announce that the 2025 LGBTIQ+ OUTbio Scholarship is underway. The OUTbio LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Scholarship Program is intended to encourage LGBTIQ+ young adults to seek a career in STEM disciplines, with a focus on the life sciences. The scholarship supports all students, regardless of gender or sexual diversity, who have demonstrated leadership and/or involvement toward advancing LGBTQ+ diversity, equity, and inclusion in their community. 

 

OUTbio, the biotech industry’s largest LGBTQ+ professional group, was founded in Boston in 2015 and has now blossomed to include more than 2,000 members in the Boston area alone. It has branched out to six affiliate branches worldwide. Aside from focusing on networking and professional development in the Biopharma space, OUTbio strives to give back to the community. One way of doing this is through our annual STEM scholarship program. 

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OUTbio will award unrestricted scholarship funds of up to $5,000 to one graduating New England-based high school student or active student, attending a 2- or 4-year college or technical/vocational school in the 2025-2026 academic year.  

 

The award will be based on responses to the questions below, references, and a virtual interview.  Preference will be given to those whose degree paths align with careers in or connected to the life sciences ecosystem. OUTbio will award the scholarship per academic year with an unrestricted grant to support tuition and other educational expenses.

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Program Schedule for the 2025 Scholarship Process:

• Application opens: April 11, 2025

• Application deadline – July 15, 2025

• Application Review Period and Interviews – July 21 - August 1, 2025

 

Applicants will be ranked based on their academic and extracurricular history, intended field of study, and quality of essay responses. 

 

Finalists will be invited to be interviewed by members of the Scholarship Selection Committee

Scholarship winner(s) selected and notified – by August 15, 2025

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Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for the scholarship award, applicants must meet all requirements listed below.

• Must be 18 or older at the time of award (15 Aug 2025).

• A minimum of a 3.0 (out of 4.0 GPA) or have achieved a GED, and are willing to provide a transcript.

• Be pursuing a degree in a life science discipline or is interested in pursuing a career supporting the STEM industry.

• Be a student/accepted at an accredited secondary college/university.

• Be willing to submit the completed application requirements.

Agree to be profiled and have a picture on the OUTbio website and/or print materials.

 

Scholarship Application Guidelines: 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide information about yourself, your current school, post-secondary education plans, and other extracurricular activities.   

 

The application components are listed below:

• Contact Information

• Demographic Information

• High School Information 

• Undergraduate Information 

• Achievements, Honors and Awards Received 

• Volunteer Work 

• Employment/Activities History 

• Essay – (300 words maximum)

• Letter of Reference – Include one letter of recommendation tailored to this scholarship. Recommendation letters must be written and signed by individuals other than family members.

 

Scholarship Application Submittal: Submit the online applications no later than the due date of July 15, 2025

 

Contact Information: If you have any questions regarding the application instructions, please contact us at: outbioscholarship@gmail.com.