Leinweber STEM Scholarship


Purpose

The Leinweber STEM Scholarship supports students from rural counties in Michigan, who are pursuing degrees in certain STEM disciplines. The scholarship is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals, and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

Scholarship Provisions

The Leinweber STEM Scholarship provides $10,000 award each year ($5,000/semester) for six semesters. Recipients will receive the scholarship for their second, third, and fourth years at MSU. 

Eligibility


Enrolled MSU undergraduate students who are in their first year of attending MSU may apply for the Leinweber STEM Scholarship if they meet all the following criteria:

Applicants must be a full-time rising second-year undergraduate student (i.e., in their first year of attendance as an undergraduate student) at Michigan State University. 

Students must be pursuing a degree or major in the following areas:  

  • Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Human Biology, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics.
  • Lyman Briggs College (LBC) Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Computer Science, Human Biology, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics.
  • Secondary Education degree in any of the majors noted above or ISSE, Integrated Science Secondary Education.

Resident of a Michigan county with a population of less than 200,000 people (see table below) and graduate of a Michigan high school. 

AlconaGladwinMecosta
AlgerGogebicMenominee
AlleganGrand TraverseMidland
AlpenaGratiotMissaukee
AntrimHillsdaleMonroe
ArenacHoughtonMontcalm
BaragaHuronMontmorency
BarryIoniaMuskegon
BayIoscoNewaygo
BenzieIronOceana
BerrienIsabellaOgemaw
BranchJacksonOntonagon
CalhounKalkaskaOsceola
CassKeweenawOtsego
CharlevoixLakePresque Isle
CheboyganLapeerRoscommon
ChippewaLeelanauSaginaw
ClareLenaweeSt. Clair
ClintonLivingstonSt. Joseph
CrawfordLuceSanilac
DeltaMackinacShiawassee
DickinsonManisteeTuscola
EatonMarquetteVan Buren
EmmetMasonWexford
 
  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident.
  • Submits the required essay and first semester MSU GPA by stated deadline.
  • Preference will be given to students who are residents of Osceola County.

Scholarship Materials

Essay

The Leinweber Foundation is a Michigan-based family foundation dedicated to advancing the local community by investing in research, education, and community. They encourage curious and hardworking MSU graduates to put their talent and knowledge to work in the State of Michigan.  
 
In 500 words or less, explain your interest in pursuing a STEM-related career in the State of Michigan after you graduate from MSU. Explain your potential career path, why it interests you, and what compels you to remain in Michigan after graduation.  
 
Your essay should be double-spaced, use a 12-point font, and have a 1-inch margin. Indicate the word count at the end of the document.

Students sitting at table with lap tops open
A student holding thin tweezers in each hand hunches over a small dish on a table pulling a green strand from a small bunch of green materials.

Timeline

April 1

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on April 1, 2025.

April 4-18

Applications reviewed by selection committee.

May 16

Recipients notified of scholarship status.

Leinweber Foundation

Mission

The Leinweber Foundation is a Michigan-based family foundation dedicated to advancing our local community and broader society by investing in three key mission areas: Research, Education, and Community. They seek to support innovative and impactful research, expand access to education for students from underserved and rural areas, and support the health and vitality of our community and beyond.

Values

We are guided by the values of our founder, Larry D. Leinweber, and his innate curiosity and unwavering commitment to learning and personal growth. We strive to support initiatives that reflect his core principles of curiosity, hard work, perseverance, personal responsibility, and compassion, with an emphasis on programs that empower individuals and foster self-reliance.

Learn More
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Questions?


Direct questions to Dr. Korine Wawrzynski at steinke7@msu.edu or 517-884-4384.