The Ultimate Guide to Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships in Nuclear and STEM [Updated 8/6/25]

Whether you're fresh out of high school, transitioning careers, or deep into a grad program, one thing is clear—school is expensive. But here's the good news: in the world of nuclear, energy, STEM, and skilled trades, there's a ton of funding available—and most people don’t know where to look.

This guide breaks down the best scholarships, grants, and fellowships available for:

• Nuclear Engineering

• Welding & Trades

• Energy Policy & Safety

• Health Physics

• Commercial Diving

• STEM & Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, etc.)

• Career changers and nontraditional students

• Undergrad, Grad, and 2-Year Programs

Let's dive in.

Trades & 2-Year Degree Scholarships

If you're pursuing a career as a welder, radiation protection tech, I&C technician, or diver—there's funding for you.

American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation

Over $2.5 million awarded annually for students in welding programs.
🔗 AWS Scholarships

 NEUP Trade School Scholarships

$5,000–$10,000 for students pursuing nuclear energy-related associate degrees.
🔗 NEUP Scholarships

TVA Instrument Mechanic Training Program

Earn while you train in I&C roles at TVA nuclear and fossil plants.
🔗 TVA Program

Navy Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC)

Get paid up to $168,300 while in school, plus a job post-graduation.
🔗 NUPOC

 IBEW Founders’ Scholarship

Up to $24,000 for members pursuing higher education in electrical fields.
🔗 IBEW Scholarship

 UA (Pipefitters & Plumbers) Scholarship

$4,000–$7,500 for dependents of union members.
🔗 UA Scholarship

 Boilermakers Scholarship Program

$100,000+ awarded annually to dependents of Boilermaker members.
🔗 Boilermakers Scholarships

 MikeRowe Works Foundation 

$8.7M awarded to date to students enrolled in an approved trades programs. Check out the list of pre-approved programs here 
🔗 Mike Rowe Works Foundation 

Dominion Nuclear Scholarship 

Dominion Nuclear Connecticut has a full scholarship program to Three Rivers Community College's Nuclear Engineering Technology Program. 
🔗 Dominion Nuclear Scholarship

4-Year Degree Scholarships

These are great for students pursuing degrees in nuclear, physics, engineering, energy systems, and health safety.

🧪 University Nuclear Leadership Program (UNLP)

$30,000/year + internships at national labs.
🔗 UNLP

 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Scholarships

More than 30 scholarships for undergrads and grads in nuclear fields.
🔗 ANS Scholarships

Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships

Funding for women in engineering at all academic levels.
🔗 SWE Scholarships

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

Scholarships and resources for Black engineering students.
🔗 NSBE Scholarships

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

Merit- and need-based scholarships for Hispanic students.
🔗 HSF

Health Physics Society (HPS) Student Awards

Scholarships and travel grants for radiation safety students.
🔗 HPS Awards

Graduate Fellowships & Advanced Programs

Grad school? You don’t have to go into debt. These fellowships often include full tuition, research stipends, and mentorship.

DOE SCGSR Fellowship

Conduct thesis research at DOE national labs with full support.
🔗 SCGSR

NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program

Work in nuclear security and nonproliferation while earning your degree.
🔗 NNSA Fellowship

 SMART Scholarship-for-Service (DoD)

Full ride + guaranteed job post-graduation in defense-related fields.
🔗 SMART Program

IAEA Internship Program

Hands-on international nuclear experience for students and recent grads.
🔗 IAEA Internships

OECD-NEA Internships

Policy and research experience in international nuclear energy governance.
🔗 OECD NEA

 National Lab Fellowships

Graduate fellowships at INL, LLNL, ORNL, and more.

• INL Education Programs

• LLNL Fellowships

• ORNL Fellowships

NNIS Fellows Program

The Nuclear Nonproliferation International Safeguards Graduate Fellowship Program provides funding for graduate students seeking careers in non-proliferation. 

🔗NNIS Fellowship Program 

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. They provide 3 years of support over a 5-year fellowship period.

🔗GRFP Home Page 

Rickover Fellowship Program in Nuclear Engineering 

The program students for roles in naval nuclear propulsion and will support critical technical fields: reactor physics, nuclear materials science and engineering, radiation shielding technology, thermal hydraulics, computational fluid dynamics, acoustic technology, artificial intelligence technology, quantum computing, and fracture mechanics

🔗Rickover Fellowship Program

Training in Radiological and International Nuclear Security Fellowship (TRAINS)

The TRAINS Fellowship supports grad students from Europe and the US to take hands-on classes  in nuclear security and nonproliferation. This two-week program offers a selection of specialized courses.

🔗TRAINS Fellowship

How to Prep for Scholarship Season (2026)

Plan ahead, apply smart. Based on tips from Sarah Cole (🎧 listen to her episode!), here’s how to make the most of the 2026 application cycle:

Get Organized

• Create a spreadsheet with deadlines, links, requirements, and recommenders.

• Use cloud folders to track your essays, resumes, and forms.

Craft a Master Personal Statement

• Tell your story: where you've been, where you're going, and why it matters.

• Align it with the mission of the organization offering the scholarship.

Ask Early for Recommendations

• Give your recommenders 3–4 weeks’ notice.

• Provide a “brag sheet” so they can write powerfully on your behalf.

Recycle and Tailor

• Reuse your master essay but always tweak to match the specific scholarship.

Apply Broadly

• Most successful students apply to 10–15+ programs.

• If it seems like a long shot—apply anyway.

Final Thoughts

The nuclear and energy industries need new voices. Skilled trades, engineering, policy, safety—it’s all on the table. And the funding is out there.

So don’t let money stop you from stepping into your future.
Apply boldly. And get paid to learn.

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