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ARCS Foundation Surpasses $100 Million in Awards To Promising Young U.S. Scientists

Posted on Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Prestigious cash award is recognized as a key element in ensuring continued robustness of the U.S. STEM pipeline

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, October 4, 2016 - ARCS® Foundation (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, Inc.) announced that its cumulative total awards made since its founding has now exceeded $100 Million.

Since the organization’s launch in 1958, ARCS Foundation has provided flexible cash awards to the most promising young U.S. scientists seeking advanced degrees in STEM fields at top-ranked research universities and outstanding colleges. As of June 30, 2016, $100,986,274 has been awarded to 9,572 ARCS Scholars. As many ARCS Scholars receive funding for consecutive years of research, this represents a total of 16,601 academic years of flexible, direct funding support.

ARCS Foundation’s focus on the seed stage of each scientist’s research career is significant. More than 97% of current U.S. government funding for STEM research supports scientists at later stages of their career, when research projects are approaching completion. In ensuring that young scientists may complete their degrees and continue their research without interruption, the ARCS Foundation award fulfills a vital and under-served role, one that ensures the robustness of U.S. global leadership in science and technology.

According to ARCS Foundation National President Lynne Brickner, who has served in executive leadership in aviation, defense and technology-driven industries,

“ARCS Foundation ensures that young scientists engaging fresh approaches to basic research questions have the opportunity to pursue their boldest ideas, free from the ongoing burden of seeking grants and unrelated employment to fund their work.”

Referencing ARCS Foundation’s recently issued 2015-2016 Annual Report, Brickner notes that 2015-2016 was “a record-setting year” on both an annual and cumulative basis, evidence of  the effectiveness of early-stage private sector STEM-focused philanthropy and the increasing relevance of ARCS Foundation’s mission to U.S. scientific, technological and economic leadership. In addition to reaching the $100 million cumulative award milestone, ARCS Foundation set new annual records during 2015-2016: the highest dollar amount ($4.8 Million) of awards were made to the greatest number (636) of ARCS Scholars studying at the highest number (602) of departments at the highest number (51) of top-ranked academic institutions.

The 2015-2016 Annual Report highlights the accomplishments of current ARCS Scholars and ARCS Scholar Alumni. Brickner observed that

“ARCS Scholars today are conducting their research in interdisciplinary fields and the descriptions of newly-approved programs and departments in our Annual Report evidence ARCS Foundation’s commitment to funding young scientists as they discover and innovate in new fields of study.”

Expressing her gratitude to the 1,348 members of ARCS Foundation representing 16 regional ARCS Chapters across the nation, Brickner shares,

“Because our members fund all operating costs of the organization, we can assure our donors that every dollar they give for scholar awards is granted to ARCS Scholars without deduction. ARCS members work tirelessly year after year to advance our collective mission of funding outstanding U.S. scholars in the fields of science, engineering and medical research. ARCS members help our country meet the challenge of global competitiveness by funding promising young scientists and engineers to ensure the U.S.’s leadership in discovery and innovation. Our members have achieved so much during this past year, and I am looking forward to an even brighter 2016-2017.”

About ARCS Foundation:

ARCS Foundation is a national nonprofit volunteer women’s organization that promotes American competitiveness by supporting talented U.S. citizens working to complete degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and health disciplines at the nation's leading research colleges and universities. Since 1958, the organization has awarded more than $100 million to more than 9,500 students. ARCS Scholars have produced thousands of research publications and patents, secured billions in subsequent grant funding, started science-related companies, and played a significant role in teaching and mentoring young people in the STEM pipeline. More at www.arcsfoundation.org.