The Program Award for Technical and Higher-Education (PATH), sponsored by National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), offers scholarships to students from Minority Serving Institutions pursuing a technical certificate, or an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)-discipline that supports the critical needs of the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). The NSE has a wide array of critical needs that range from technical expertise and skilled trades to STEM research.  Important research areas include nuclear security, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, engineering, and energy systems.  PATH is committed to bolstering the career pathways of talented students by supporting education for students with unique backgrounds, circumstances, needs, notions, and beliefs.

PATH has the following objectives: 

• Provide financial support to students who demonstrate a desire to pursue a STEM-focused academic pathway that applies to the NNSA Mission Directorates.
• Expose students to STEM-related research and other activities/programs taking place at academic institutions.
• Connect students to other NNSA MSI-supported students, faculty, and alumni.
• Foster an understanding of the NNSA Mission Directorates and introduce students to NNSA-related programs: NNSA MSI Internship Program and NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program.
• Expose students to STEM-based careers at NNSA and the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE).

Interested in learning more about the NNSA PATH Program?

Register below to attend to the NNSA PATH Informational Webinar on Thursday, January 9 from 4:00-5:00pm EST.

https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_jRF5FAeASiO2Rzgh_uglwg#/registration

ABOUT NNSA

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy that protects our nation by designing and delivering a safe, secure, reliable, and effective U.S. nuclear stockpile; forging solutions that enable global security and stability through nonproliferation, counterproliferation, and emergency response; providing nuclear propulsion to power a global U.S. Navy; and leveraging transformative technologies to address emerging challenges. PATH meets NNSA’s goals to “recruit, invest in, and nourish a high-performing, diverse, and flexible workforce that can meet the unique policy, technical, and leadership needs of our mission today and well into the future.” (Adaptive Workforce and Resilient Infrastructure, NNSA Strategic Vision, pg. 13). 

For more information about NNSA, visit National Nuclear Security Administration | Department of Energy.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD DETAILS

Scholarships will begin on September 1st and will end May 31st, regardless of a student's academic calendar. Upon confirming enrollment each semester/trimester, equal disbursements of scholarship funds will be paid directly to the student's academic institution. These scholarship funds are intended to offset the costs related to the pursuit of an academic degree including tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, meal plans, and health insurance if fees are included with the academic institution invoice. Scholarship awards may not be used to cover the cost of stipends, travel, equipment, or charges for optional, refundable and penalty fees (such as late registration). Room and board, meal plans, and health insurance paid to a third party are not covered. Students are responsible for payment of any outstanding balance. 

Students may also request direct reimbursement of up to $1,000 maximum per academic year (must be divided equally based on semester/trimester academic schedule). Reimbursement can be used to cover the cost of required textbooks and research supplies required for education and research training. Students may not request reimbursement for technology, equipment, or software. Any funds received through the reimbursement process will be deducted from the student's remaining award balance. Proof of syllabus and appropriate receipts will be required for approval. 

Technical Certification/Two-Year Certificate/Degree

• Award Per Year: $4,500
• Maximum Years of Support: 2 years (students continuing to a four degree are eligible for 2 additional years of support)
• Eligible Degree Programs: Associate of Science, Associate of Engineering, Associate of Applied Science

Four-Year Undergraduate Degree

• Award Per Year: $10,000
• Maximum Years of Support: 4
• Eligible Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Applied Science

Graduate Degree

• Award Per Year: $20,000
• Maximum Years of Support: 2
• Eligible Degree Programs: Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Doctoral (PhD or comparable doctoral degree)

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Selected candidates must meet the following requirements to participate in the program:

• Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited MSI during the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Must be pursuing a degree a STEM academic discipline that supports the critical needs of the NSE. Proof of enrollment will be required at the beginning of the Fall and Spring terms. The NNSA PATH program must be informed of changes to enrollment status.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Application Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
• Be 18 years of age by September 1, 2025.
• Meet one of the following conditions at the time of application. Applicants not currently attending a MSI will be required to provide proof of application/acceptance to a MSI for Fall 2025.
  • Currently or planning to be enrolled as an undergraduate student (freshmen - senior) at a Minority Serving Institution for the 2025-2026 academic year.
  • Currently or planning to be enrolled as a graduate student (Master or PhD) at a Minority Serving Institution for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Be pursuing or plan to pursue a technical certificate, or an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree in a STEM discipline in one or more fields that supports the critical needs of the NSE. The enterprise has a wide array of critical needs that range from technical expertise and skilled trades to STEM research.  Important research areas include nuclear security, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, engineering, and energy systems.
• Have an intended graduation date of Spring 2026 or later. 
• Be interested in the NNSA mission. Information about the NNSA Mission Directorates detailing the NNSA mission can be found at:
  • Maintaining the Stockpile
  • Nonproliferation
  • Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation  
  • Powering the Nuclear Navy
• Meet the 3.0 minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement.

Additional Information

• Eligible MSIs include accredited U.S. postsecondary institutions that meet the statutory criteria for identification as Minority Serving Institutions by the U.S. Department of Education.

  • AANAPISI - Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution
  • ANNH - Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institution
  • HBCU - Historically Black College or University
  • HSI - Hispanic-serving institution
  • NASNTI - Native American-serving nontribal institution
  • PBI - Predominantly Black Institution
  • TCU - Tribal College or University

• Allied Health Science majors (e.g., health lab tech) and art majors are not eligible for this program at this time.
• High school seniors planning to graduate by Summer 2025 are eligible to apply. High school seniors will be expected to provide their current transcript as well as proof of application/admission to a MSI in the application to be considered. The 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA still applies for consideration. 
• Participants in the National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) are encouraged to apply.
• Undergraduate students will have to apply for a graduate scholarship to receive support for their graduate degree. There should not be an assumption or expectation of being selected for graduate support.
• Students planning to complete degree requirements before September 1, 2025, are not eligible to participate in the program unless planning to attend an MSI during the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Students completing degree requirements in Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 are ineligible. Students must be planning to graduate in Spring 2026 or later.

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Academic Institution Classification
• Intended Graduation Date
• Personal Responses: Submit responses of 1,000 or fewer characters (approximately 150-175 words) addressing each of the following four prompts.
  • Question 1: What interests you about STEM?  What STEM-related degree are you pursuing and why? Describe any experiences or situations that you feel have influenced your interest.
  • Question 2: We think NNSA is unique. What makes you interested in NNSA? Information about the NNSA Mission Directorates detailing the NNSA mission can be found at:
    • Maintaining the Stockpile
    • Nonproliferation
    • Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation
    • Powering the Nuclear Navy
  • Question 3: Describe your career plans and how they are related to the Nuclear Security Enterprise. How will this scholarship impact your academic or career pathway (beyond financial support)?
  • Question 4: Describe how your life’s experiences and beliefs, background, and interests have shaped who you are, led you to your current academic/career path, and prepared you to fulfill your scholarship requirements. You may include a description of any extra-curricular activities in which you have participated (e.g., clubs, teams, camps, mentoring, jobs, internships, etc.)
• One recommendation from a faculty member or academic advisor at the institution where the student is currently attending. Recommendations should address the student’s academic record and potential for success such as demonstrated intellectual merit, communication, and teamwork skills. Recommenders will be asked to submit a recommendation in Zintellect. Letters of recommendation submitted via email will not be accepted. Recommendation must be submitted by March 9, 2025, 8:00 am EST. High School Seniors may request recommendations from high school educator, previous employer, or other professionals that can address the student’s academic record and potential for success. 
• Academic Records: A copy of an official or unofficial transcript or copies of the academic records from internal institutional systems may be submitted. Transcript or academic records must clearly show the name of the student, name of the academic institution, enrollment during the academic term at the time of application, current/completed/enrolled courses, grades, most recent cumulative GPA, and degree in progress.