AISES Scholarships 2027 | Study in United States — American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Indigenous students pursuing STEM fields have relatively few dedicated national scholarship programs built specifically around their heritage. AISES runs one of the more established ones, open across tribal nations in both the United States and Canada.
About the Scholarship
AISES administers a portfolio of STEM scholarships, most offering around $5,000, for students with Indigenous heritage spanning the United States and Canada. Eligibility covers enrolled citizens or descendants of federally or state recognized American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Indigenous people of Canada.
Free AISES student membership is a baseline requirement, alongside enrollment in a STEM degree program at any level, from undergraduate through doctoral study.
AISES has operated for decades as one of the central organizations connecting Indigenous students across North America with STEM education and career pathways. Its scholarship program is just one part of a broader ecosystem that includes conferences, mentorship, and professional networking specifically built around Indigenous representation in science and technology.
Because the organization spans both the United States and Canada, it occupies a somewhat unique position among identity-based STEM scholarships, most of which are restricted to a single country’s recognized tribal or Indigenous communities.
Scholarship Benefits
- Scholarship awards of approximately $5,000 across multiple available scholarships
- Free AISES student membership included as part of program participation
- Access to AISES’s broader Indigenous STEM community and professional network
- Eligibility spanning undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral study
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be an enrolled citizen or descendant of a federally or state recognized American Indian tribe, Alaska Native village, Native Hawaiian community, Pacific Islander community, or Indigenous community of Canada
- You must hold free AISES student membership
- You must be pursuing a STEM degree at any level
- You must meet the academic standing requirements for your specific scholarship track
Fields of Study Covered
AISES scholarships center on STEM fields broadly, including engineering, computer science, and the natural sciences, consistent with the organization’s mission of supporting Indigenous students across science and technology disciplines.
Required Documents
- A completed AISES scholarship application
- Proof of tribal enrollment or descendancy
- Proof of free AISES student membership
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of enrollment in a STEM degree program
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Register for free AISES student membership
- Gather documentation of your tribal enrollment or descendancy
- Confirm your academic program meets the STEM eligibility requirement
- Submit your complete application before the April 30 deadline
Selection Process
AISES reviews applications for academic achievement within STEM fields alongside genuine connection to Indigenous community and heritage. Because the program spans multiple scholarship tracks, applicants may be considered across several awards through a single application process.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Register for AISES membership early, since this is a baseline requirement before you can apply
- Gather your tribal enrollment or descendancy documentation well ahead of the deadline
- Highlight any involvement with Indigenous student organizations or community STEM initiatives
- Apply across multiple eligible scholarship tracks within the AISES program if your profile qualifies for more than one
- Students interested in other identity-focused STEM funding may also want to compare this against the NSBE Scholarships or ScholarSHPE Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship only for U.S. tribal members?
No, eligibility also extends to Indigenous people of Canada, alongside American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander applicants.
Do I need to pay for AISES membership to apply?
No, AISES student membership is free.
Can graduate and doctoral students apply, or is this undergraduate-only?
AISES scholarships span undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.
What counts as proof of tribal enrollment or descendancy?
Specific documentation requirements can vary; check AISES’s current application guidance for accepted forms of proof.
Is the award amount the same for every scholarship within the AISES program?
Amounts can vary by specific scholarship, though many are around $5,000; check current listings for exact figures.
How many scholarships does AISES offer in a given cycle?
The number and variety of scholarships can change by cycle; review AISES’s current scholarship page for the full list.
Does AISES only support students already enrolled in college?
No, some AISES programs and resources also support students earlier in their academic path; the scholarships specifically require current enrollment in an eligible STEM program.
Can I apply if I’m enrolled in a non-STEM field alongside a STEM minor?
Check AISES’s current guidance on how it treats combined majors or minors, since eligibility centers on genuine engagement with a STEM field of study.