ARCS Facts

ARCS Foundation awards fellowships to US citizens pursuing PhD degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

  • Recipient schools: the University of Washington and Washington State University
  • What does ARCS stand for? Achievement Rewards for College Scientists
  • Must a Fellow be a US citizen? Yes. ARCS National Foundation was founded in 1958 to strengthen science in America.
  • How many fellowships does ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter sponsor at the UW? 122
  • How many fellowships does ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter sponsor at WSU? 35
  • Total fellowships for both universities: 157 Scholars
  • How much did we award this year in ARCS Scholar Awards? $902,500
  • How are ARCS Scholars selected? Universities select and recruit ARCS Scholars
  • In 2008, ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter was honored as a UW Presidential Laureate with donations exceeding $10M
  • In 2009, WSU awarded ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter Silver Laureate Status, recognizing gifts over $1 million dollars.
  • ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter funds 36 departments at The University of Washington.
    For a list please click HERE
  • ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter funds 12 departments at Washington State University.
    For a list please click HERE
  • How much is an ARCS Scholar Award? Effective 2024 an award is $22,500 paid out in the fall at $7,500 per year. 
  • How many years is an ARCS Scholar Award? 3 years
  • What year was ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter founded? 1978
  • When did ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter start supporting WSU? 2000
  • How many ARCS Scholars has ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter supported since its founding? 1,500
  • How much has ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter given to ARCS Scholar Awards since its founding? $22.1
  • How much is an endowment? $150,000 minimum contribution
  • How many endowments does ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter have? 62
  • What is the amount ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter has invested in endowments?  Over $16 million
  • How many endowments are the UW? 53/Total approx. $14,500,000
  • How many endowments are at WSU? 9/Total  approx. $1,500,000
  • How many members are on the board? 21
  • How many ARCS Foundation chapters are there? 15
  • What are corporate sponsorship levels? $25,000, $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500
  • How many ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter members are there? 65 active members
  • Who are ARCS Foundation staff? Jennifer ArnoldDirector of Operations and Jennifer GillDirector of Development