Noyce Scholarship at SMC
The Robert Noyce Scholarship Program at Saint Mary’s College of California
The Robert Noyce Scholarship Program at Saint Mary’s is funded by the National Science Foundation.
Goal of the scholarship program: to recruit, support, connect, and sustain transformative STEM teachers in local middle and high schools.
- 17 Noyce scholars will be selected over 5 years (2023-2028).
- Students can begin as a scholar in junior, senior, or +1 year and scholarship funding continues through end of the +1 (credential/Master’s in the Art of Teaching) year.
Noyce scholar support will include:
- Financial support for highly motivated STEM majors to become STEM teachers: scholarship money and iPads
- Enhanced learning to teach STEM across curriculum, field experiences, and communities of practice with Mt. Diablo Unified teachers
- Teacher professional career trajectory support
- STEM educator community – within SMC, with MDUSD, and with national and regional STEM education professional networks
Scholarship and Eligibilty
Students may receive one to three years of funding starting in the junior, senior, or credential/Master’s year – at least $10,000 per year in the undergraduate years and approximately $30,000 in the graduate year.
Prospective scholars must:
- Be pursuing a BA or BS in a STEM discipline at Saint Mary's College, OR
- Have achieved a BA or BS in a STEM discipline at Saint Mary’s or another university, AND
- Have recently completed their undergraduate or worked as a STEM professional
Graduate students earning their teaching credential and Master's in Teaching in a STEM discipline are eligible.
***Please reach out to discuss eligibility.****
Additional Requirements
Scholars will be expected to sign a contract that outlines their obligations upon receipt of the grant, which includes:
- Maintaining a 2.75 GPA, participation in all activities related to the Noyce scholarship, completing the Single Subject Teacher Education and Master’s in the Art of Teaching Program of Study, and committing to teach for a minimum of two years in a high need public district in CA for each year of scholarship support, within six years following completion of the SSTE credential.
- The application includes background and demographic information as well as an essay of up to 500 words on why the applicant is interested in becoming a middle or high school STEM teacher and becoming a Noyce scholar.
Noyce Scholars
As a Noyce scholar I am able to mix both my love for science and teaching. I've been fortunate to find a group of individuals driven by their passion to teach science just like me here at Saint Mary's. There is so much support from my peers, mentors, and others also a part of the Noyce program outside of SMC
Xochilt Delgado '25
I’ve really appreciated getting to be a Noyce scholar this year! The support from faculty on campus, such as Dr. Lee and Dr. Raygoza, has been invaluable to me as I navigate my current and future education. Knowing that I have this Noyce network to fall back on and get help in my future career is a true blessing
Justin Byers '24
Noyce has allowed me to pursue my career and educational goals by eliminating financial boundaries that would have otherwise prevented me from choosing this path. In this program I have had immense support and been shown true care from all of my mentors. I feel so lucky to be able to be apart of this community
Keely Dumars '24
Click here to start your application
With questions about the scholarship program or application, please contact Teacher Education faculty, Dr. Mary Raygoza (mcr13@stmarys-ca.edu) or School of Science faculty, Dr. Vidya Chandrasekaran (vc5@stmarys-ca.edu).
For all other inquiries please contact KSOE Undergraduate Pathways Coordinator Shannon Mauldin
Want to learn more about the benefits of going into the K-12 STEM teaching profession?
Check out: https://getthefactsout.org/prospective-teachers/
Want to hear from Noyce voices in the field from around the country?
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO6YrvPv1k_gBVz4WlpekSj1fQWw3VyAc