Scholar Selection Process

How Honolulu ARCS Scholars are Chosen

The Honolulu Chapter annually supports a dozen or more ARCS Scholars through proceeds from endowed funds, donations and chapter fundraising. In early spring, the board determines the number of awards and an allocation committee designates the disciplines to be supported that year. Major donors may designate a preferred field within approved disciplines at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

The chapter notifies officials in the university's Graduate Division, who coordinate with the designated units to select recipients from qualified candidates. The selection process may vary by unit, with some requiring applications or presentations.

To be eliglble to receive an ARCS Scholar Award, nominees must:

  • be a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident
  • be a full-time doctoral student in good standing
  • plan to continue academic or research activity in the coming year
  • allow UH and ARCS to publish biographical information and photos
  • agree to notify the chapter about achievements

As unrestricted awards, funds may be used in any way that advances scholars' research, including equipment, travel, and educational or living expenses. They do not qualify as scholarships for tax purposes.

For more information, contact ARCS Foundation, Honolulu Chapter.

Scholar Update: Oceanographer Amy Baco-Taylor

Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor onboard research ship

“Because most species in the deep sea are slow growing and long-lived, deep-sea species are actually more vulnerable to human impacts than many shallow-water ecosystems.”

– 1999 Honolulu ARCS Scholar Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor, explaining the importance of her research on deep sea ecosystems in a Q&A on the Florida State University website where she is now a professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science. Read the profile

To Quote a Scholar: Lucas Ellison

Ellison Lucas speaking into microphone

"The grant will cover travel to one or two conferences that I would not be able to attend otherwise."

2024 Toby Lee ARCS Scholar Lucas Ellison uses data from past droughts to analyze the performance of climate simulation models to better predict the impact of climate change.