CRISPR Scholarship Program

Thank you for your interest in the CRISPR scholarship program!

The CRISPR program will provide scholarship support for two cohorts of at least seven scholars (biology and chemistry majors) who will each receive up to $8,100 per year for up to four years. The first cohort will kick off in Fall 2023 and the second in Fall 2024.

The primary objectives of the CRISPR program are to help USC Upstate:

• Recruit academically talented, low-income students interested in studying biology and chemistry.
• Increase the retention and graduation rates of biology and chemistry students.
• Ensure that scholars have the necessary career skills to be employed as valuable contributors to the STEM workforce through professional development activities that enhance knowledge of STEM career opportunities and career readiness, equipping them for employment or graduate studies.

CRISPR scholars will have access to a variety of resources aimed at helping them chart their career courses. These opportunities will include pre-college orientation, mentoring, research and internship experiences, and career-readiness initiatives.

Electronic applications for CRISPR will open October 1st, and paper applications will be available through high school guidance counselors and science teachers at that time also.

Eligibility will be limited to full-time students who meet the NSF S-STEM program’s citizenship/residency requirements, are accepted to USC Upstate, declare a biology or chemistry major, and are Pell-eligible with unmet financial need. Additionally, potential scholars must have at least a 3.0 high school GPA.

Please email crisprscholars@uscupstate.edu with questions.