Transform Your Passion for Science into Research Experience
Program Overview & Benefits
The Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellows Program at the University of Mary Washington is a premier four-year pathway designed to nurture the next generation of research scientists across biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, and physics. From the first semester through graduation, Rodgers Fellows form a close-knit community of students who share their curiosity about the natural world and commitment to scientific discovery.
This isn’t just another scholarship program – it’s a comprehensive interdisciplinary research training experience that prepares students for graduate school and research careers while building lifelong connections with faculty mentors and fellow scholars.
Rodgers Fellows are involved in research beginning in their first year through a foundational research methods course and interdisciplinary shadowing of research teams. In their second year, students discover professional opportunities through our STEM career exploration seminar and engage in interdisciplinary research with other Rodgers Fellows. Through coursework and hands-on research experiences including the Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute (SSI) and faculty-mentored projects, Rodgers Fellows conduct research, present their work at conferences, and learn to communicate complex ideas to many audiences.
Rodgers Fellows graduate with the skills and confidence needed to pursue graduate study or enter the scientific workforce. They have research presentations and publications in their name as a co-author with classmates and faculty in the field.
Our alumni go on to top graduate programs and research positions, equipped with the experience, network, and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to their fields. If you’re ready to move beyond textbooks and into the exciting world of scientific discovery, the Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellows Program is the perfect starting point.
Benefits:
- Up to $6,600 scholarship for each year at UMW to support research coursework ($3,216/year in-state, $6,600/year out-of-state)
- STEM faculty mentorship
- Option to attend extended orientation program to connect to STEM faculty and upper-class students before matriculation
- Guaranteed placement in the introductory course for your intended primary STEM major in your first semester
- Interdisciplinary coursework to prepare you to engage in cutting edge scientific research as soon as sophomore year
- Guaranteed participation for one summer in the Piscopo Rodgers ‘59 Summer Science Institute summer research program, either after sophomore year or after junior year
- Priority access to funding for research supplies and conference travel expenses
