Fourt students in KU sweatshirts and gear walk across campus while chatting energetically.

The Bioscholarship Program

The BioScholarship Program provides renewable four-year scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students in the Biological Sciences at the University of Kansas. It is only offered to incoming freshmen students with a 3.9 GPA or higher.

Learn about other scholarships opporunities within KU Biology

Bioscholarships are funded by generous donations made by:

Robert and Lillian Bell BioScholar Fund

Haller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship

Smiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund

Elio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship

Howieson BioScholar Scholarship

Jim A. Orr BioScholar Scholarship

Bischolarship Recipients

1st year awardedRecipientbioscholarship Funding
2025 Kavinavashri ChidambaranathanSmiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
Hannah ClevelandHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
Kathryn GlaserHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship & Smiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
Rose LagergenHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
2023Lydia DortonElio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship
Om PandeElio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship
2022Meghan AriasHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Muhammad (Shahzaib) AsifHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
Arnav JainHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Alexa MagstadtHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Lloyd McLaughlinHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
2021Kilee HaleHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
Drew MeechamElio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship
Kaitlin SavoySmiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
Vivian MarshallHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Bailey ReichHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Ocean RedmonHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Payton ElliottHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Nicholas SchemmelHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Gabrielle MartellHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Jakelin Aldaco-De La OHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
2020Gavin PetersonRobert and Lillian Bell BioScholar Fund
John ColipJim A. Orr BioScholar Scholarship
Jaiden TaggartHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Cailin KessenHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
2019Daly McKayHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Carlos SchwindtHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Destiny BatistaSmiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
2018Cheyenne LooHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
2017Angelica LangHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
Bryn O'MearaElio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship
Kevin VargheseElio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship
Alexandra ArvanitakisHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Emily BinshtokHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Abigail FeildsHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Aadil KhanHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Sanjay ParasharHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
2016Lauren ArneyHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
2015Joseph LoomisSmiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
 Rachel WatsonHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
2014Chloe AdamsHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Marilyn BarraganHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Elise BaseRobert and Lillian Bell BioScholar Fund
Zachary GrantHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Paige HansenHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
Pre-2014Lauren ArneyHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship 
 Fikri BireyHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Mohana ChakrabartiHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Rachel ChennaultHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
 Kyle CliftonHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Nora ElbayoumyHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Jia Yin FengHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Brittany FleerHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Kelly FlentieSmiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
 Parker GuidryHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Allison HoHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 John Deacon JonesHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship
 Jennifer KaberlineHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Nicole KaniserHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Anne Marie MartinRobert and Lillian Bell BioScholar Fund
 Anna NelsonHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Nicole NiemannHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Ryan NistlerSmiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
 William PassRobert and Lillian Bell BioScholar Fund
 Elspeth PearceHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Rose PenerHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Alex RippbergerRobert and Lillian Bell BioScholar Fund
 Cassandra RossHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Kate RuoffHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Kayla SaleJim A. Orr BioScholar Scholarship
 Lauren SchimmingSmiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
  Eman ShaiwaniHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Morgan ShippsHowiesonHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Adam ShoffnerHowieson BioScholar Scholarship
 Daniel SimonHaller - Silva Biosciences Merit Scholarship 
 Eric SkoglundElio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship
 Shelby WebbVirginia & William Smiley
 Clarissa WedemeierSmiley - Gilligan Family BioScholar Fund
 Julia YangElio Schaechter BioScholar Scholarship

The Bioscholarship Program

Requirements

• Pursue and declare a major in Biological Sciences beginning freshman year.

• Maintain a 3.25 grade point average.

• Maintain involvement in a research program with a faculty member within the Biological Sciences.

• Provide brief, annual statement explaining the benefits of the scholarship and the nature of your academic pursuits and goals.

Building Leaders for Biology in the 21st Century

Students selected into this program would be provided the following educational opportunities:

• Wide variety of  degree programs,  from interdisciplinary—Human Biology—to discipline based—Biochemistry; Biology;  Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; Microbiology.

• Participation in the Biology Honors Program (including undergraduate research experiences and Honors seminars)

• A mentoring program  from faculty that may begin in the first semester.

• An extensive undergraduate research experience including: Mentoring from graduate students and other advanced undergraduates. Travel to scientific meetings and  presentation of  the undergraduate research project.

Additional educational experiences:

Undergraduate teaching experiences: upper-level students could be appointed as undergraduate teaching assistants and  assist with the instruction of undergraduate laboratories.

Expand Your Opportunities in the Biological Sciences

Leadership training:

Students would be given the opportunity to participate in:

Biology Majors Advisory Committee, which provides advice and counsel to the Director of  the Undergraduate Biology Program.

Student  organizations such as Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, the Biology Club, Pre-Med Club, and Environs.

Opportunities for pre-professional development:

• Summer internships with biotechnology, environmental or other corporate sponsors.

• Volunteer opportunities within the medical field (e.g. emergency room, physician offices).

• Summer internships with research laboratories on the KU Campus, the KU Medical Center, and other universities that offer summer research experiences for undergraduates.