Biological Sciences
DLS-SURF
The Ralph and Eloise DeFalco Scholarship
No longer accepting applications for 2026-2027
The Ralph and Eloise DeFalco Scholarship
Ralph DeFalco was an internationally recognized serologist and Professor of Zoology at Rutgers University. In addition to his scholarly and teaching activities, he devoted much of his time to counseling and placement of undergraduates in medical and dental schools. It was his intense interest in the undergraduate program as a student and as a person that endeared him to many.
Eloise DeFalco was a medical technologist (MT, ASCP) and Teaching Assistant/Lecturer in Anatomy and Physiology at Raritan Valley Community College. She, like her husband, derived great satisfaction from interacting with her students and from providing support and encouragement as they pursued their chosen healthcare profession.
To be awarded the scholarship, the student must demonstrate high academic achievement and potential for excellence in biology or a health-related field. The purpose of the award is to recognize past academic performance and to assist in the future undergraduate studies while at Rutgers.
The Award
Six awards of $1,500 each for 2026-2027 are anticipated.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, the student must:
(1) Demonstrate a high academic standing
(2) Be a full-time senior during the 2026-2027 academic year in the School of Arts and Sciences
(3) Be majoring in one of the four majors within the Division of Life Sciences -
119 - Biological Sciences
146 - Cell Biology and Neuroscience
447 – Genetics
694 – Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
How to Apply:
Please include an unofficial transcript and attach a personal essay (500-word minimum) describing your career goals and what you have done and plan to do toward achieving your aspirations. It would also help the selection committee if you were to explain the significance of this award to you, financially and otherwise.
Selection:
Representatives in the Office of Undergraduate Education, Division of Life Sciences, will select candidates, and final selections will be based on the submitted materials. By submitting this application, you are also consenting to your materials being shared with the Selection Committee and the DeFalco family.
Division of Life Sciences Undergraduate Student Support Awards
Undergraduate research is an important part of our life science majors’ educational experience. The opportunity to receive training as a research scientist by conducting original research provides a strong foundation for pursuing graduate school and research careers. The Division of Life Sciences Undergraduate Student Support Fund supports the professional development of our student researchers by funding their attendance at scientific conferences and the presentation of their research findings. It also helps financially support students with aspects of the application process for graduate research programs. A portion of the funds is available as an emergency fund for our undergraduate students should urgent financial needs arise. A limited number of stipends, up to $350 each, will be awarded. Students' financial situation will be taken into account in the award process.
The stipend award is open to SAS Students who are declared Life Science majors (Biological Science (119), Cell Biology and Neuroscience (146), Genetics (447), and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (694)).
Students may apply for a stipend for one of the following:
1) Offset the cost of attending scientific conferences where students will present their research performed in the laboratory of Rutgers-NB life science faculty or while enrolled in the Internship in the Life Sciences (01:119:205) course.
2) Financially assist with aspects of the application process for graduate programs in the life sciences (health professions programs are not covered).
3) Provide emergency funding for specific urgent financial needs that may arise for our students.
Division of Life Sciences Undergraduate Student Support Award Application Portal
Please note that additional supplementary materials may be requested before finalizing the award. These may include, but are not limited to, a copy of the submitted abstract and confirmation of students' attendance/presentation at the meeting or confirmation of the Research faculty member's support of meeting attendance.
Award notification: Applicants will be evaluated on a rolling basis throughout the school year. Please get in touch with Dr. Carr-Schmid after you apply to schedule a brief meeting to complete the process.
Conference Funding Awardees
Division of Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (DLS-SURF)
Division of Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
PLEASE REVIEW FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM PROCEDURES AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW!
The Division of Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship award includes a $4,000 stipend for a 10 week full-time summer research experience. The Fellowship is funded by the Division of Life Sciences and by a generous endowment from Duncan and Nancy MacMillan.
The Fellowship is open to declared Life Science majors (Biological Science (119), Cell Biology and Neuroscience (146), Genetics (447), and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (694) and Exercise Science (377)) pursuing novel, independent undergraduate research under the supervision of a Division of Life Sciences faculty member from one of the departments listed above.
You must be eligible to work in the U.S. to be awarded a fellowship. Preference will be given to students who have not previously been awarded the DLS SURF fellowship.
The SURF committee will also consider the feasibility of the proposed research, the applicant's GPA, and rigor of their coursework.
Applicants need to have secured placement in a laboratory with a Research Mentor, who is a faculty member from the CBN (https://cbn.rutgers.edu/people/faculty), Genetics (https://genetics.rutgers.edu/people/faculty), or MBB (https://mbb.rutgers.edu/people/faculty) undergraduate programs, or Kinesiology & Health https://kines.rutgers.edu/faculty/faculty ( prior to applying for this fellowship) and must have previous research experience in the lab. This fellowship application requires that the applicant's DLS Faculty Research Mentor provides a letter of support for the applicant and the applicant must prepare a 1-2 page research proposal. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
The DLS-SURF program fellowships are for full-time (35 hours/week) research for a period of 10 weeks starting June 2, 2025. Full time DLS- SURF recipients are NOT allowed to register for any summer course credits that meet during work hours.. DLS -SURF recipients are NOT allowed to receive concurrent fellowships.
Fellows are required to a create a research poster of their research and present at our poster session scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2025. Fellows also submit a brief 2 page summary of their results at the end of the fellowship period.
There is one single application for the fellowships offered through DLS Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program- the DLS-SURF and HGI-SURF. You may apply for more than one type of fellowship, if eligible. If you have any questions, please contact
(A) Materials to be Contributed by the Student Applicant:
(1) Application cover page (download here)
(2) Current transcript (unofficial)
(3) CV or resume
(4) Research proposal (1-2 pages- do not exceed 2 pages)
Please have all of above information completed before beginning your application in the portal. Please save the above required items individually and before uploading, be sure to name each document with: Last Name, First Name, SURF25 and application item name. Upload each item separately. Example document file names: Carr-SchmidAnneSURF25Coverpage, Carr-SchmidAnneSURF25CV, Carr-SchmidAnneSURF25transcript, and Carr-SchmidAnneSURF25proposal. Thank you!
Please use the following link to submit your completed application:
(B) Materials to be completed by the Faculty Research Mentor:
(1) Mentor statement supporting the student’s application, an outline of the laboratory environment, plans for student training and supervision, and certification that the lab possesses sufficient resources to fund the proposed project.
Faculty should email mentor statements directly to the Coordinator of the DLS Summer Fellowship Program,
Completed applications (including Faculty Research Mentor statements) are due by Monday, April 14, 2025.
Incomplete applications or applications of ineligible students will not be considered.
Award notification: Fellows will be notified by early May by an award letter emailed to their Rutgers email account. We request a response to the award letter within one week.
Awards
A variety of awards ranging from scholarships based on academic excellence to fellowships for undergraduate research are available to students in the Division of Life Sciences. The Office of Undergraduate Instruction of the Division of Life Sciences manages these awards.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Scholarship
This scholarship is based on financial need and academic merit. Application is by invitation of the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Instruction. They are intended for full-time undergraduate students entering their junior year and majoring in Biological Sciences.
Award: $1000 (one award), renewable for a second year.
The Ralph and Eloise DeFalco Scholarship
This scholarship is based on high academic merit and a potential for excellence in a health-related field. Applications are usually available in mid-February. Intended for full-time undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences, who are entering their senior year and whose major is within the Division of Life Sciences (Biological Sciences; Cell Biology & Neuroscience; Genetics; Molecular Biology & Biochemistry).
Award: $1500 (four -six awards depending on the availability of funds). Application now closed until spring 2027.
Division of Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program
The Division of Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program consists of two types of undergraduate research fellowships for RU-NB Division of Life Sciences majors pursuing novel, independent research. They include the DLS-SURF and HGI-SURF. Awardees are expected to work in the lab full-time (35 hours/week) for 10 weeks and present at our summer poster session scheduled in early August.
Awards: $5000 Applications closed for Summer 2026.
Life Sciences Student Support Awards
The Life Sciences Student Support Fund serves to further the professional development of our student researchers through funding opportunities to support their attendance at scientific conferences and present their research findings. It also serves to financially assist students with aspects of the application process for graduate research programs. A portion of the funds are available in the form of an emergency fund for our undergraduate students, should specific urgent financial needs arise. A limited number of stipends, up to $500 each, will be awarded. Students' financial situation will be taken into account in the award process.
Awards: Up to $500 each (average $350)
Applications accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis
William B. Foster Award
This award is based on high academic merit, participation in research, and service to the community. Intended for a member of the graduating class whose major is Biological Sciences. The awardee will be notified before graduation.
Award: $500 (one award).
S. Oakley Van der Poel Award
This award is based on high academic merit and the intention to pursue the study of medicine. Intended for members of the graduating class whose major is Biological Sciences. Awardees will be notified before graduation.
Award: Merck Manual (eight or more awards depending on the availability of funds).
Betty Falk Yatvin Award
This award is based on high academic merit. Intended for members of the Rutgers College graduating class who have shown particular aptitude for and interest in the area of animal biology. Awardees will be notified before graduation.
Award: $300 (one award)
Azzara Family Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Michael Azzara (RC ’69) to provide scholarship support to full-time undergraduate students majoring in the Life Sciences. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and departmental recommendations.
Award: $1,000 (one or more awards)
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