Mary Gates Endowment For Students

Getting Started

The Mary Gates Endowment for Students expands opportunities for undergraduates by providing Leadership & Research Scholarships. Students are asked to articulate their educational goals outside of traditional classroom settings, identify mentors, reflect on their experiences, and actively engage in their own learning processes. Undergraduates from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Scholarships are also open to all international students and undocumented students.

If you are not yet involved in a project, you are welcome to make an appointment with our Mary Gates Endowment Staff to discuss your options. 

Finding a Research Project

  • The Office of Undergraduate Research can help you start planning for an undergraduate research experience. They can help UW undergraduates with planning for an undergraduate research experience, identifying faculty mentors and project, defining research goals.

  • The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) fosters a community of success for underrepresented students in STEM fields, and expands opportunities for their participation in campus-based and national undergraduate research experiences.

  • The University of Washington McNair Scholars and Early Identification Programs are two graduate school preparatory program that prepare eligible first-generation, low-income, and/or minority undergraduate students for graduate study through involvement in research and scholarly activities.

  • As a student in the College of Arts & Sciences, you can participate in course-based research, faculty research projects, specialized undergraduate research programs, and more.

Finding a Leadership Project

  • The Community Engagement and Leadership Education (CELE) Center provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to thriving communities.

  • The Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) serves and empowers historically marginalized and underrepresented students and provides students with opportunities to enhance leadership development. 

  • UW Leaders is a peer mentorship and leadership development program within the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW). UWL offers leadership-building opportunities for first, second, and transfer third-year students

  • First Year Programs (FYP) is committed to helping all students grow personally and professionally through several leadership opportunities. Students work with FYP to foster a successful undergraduate student experience. 

  • Enhance your leadership skills and fulfill organization goals by participating in or creating a Registered Student Organization (RSO). 

  • The Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) hosts several opportunities to get involved on campus whether it be as an employee, volunteer, or a participant. 

Finding More Scholarships

Resources for International and Undocumented Students

  • Leadership Without Borders offers leadership development resources, college success navigators, the Husky Lending Library, a space for community building, and connections to other campus and community resources.

  • CIRCLE (the Center for International Relations & Cultural Leadership Exchange) is the UW’s primary portal to resources, community and activities that help international and domestic students maximize their Husky Experience, together.