Approved Universities | ARCS Foundation

ARCS Foundation chapters support nearly 700 programs and departments at 51 leading research universities across the United States. In assessing potential academic partners, ARCS evaluates strength of graduate degree programs, facutly size and quality, national rankings, and national research grant funding, among other criteria. Contact ARCS Foundation for more information.

There are real global consequences to both our country and our U.S. scientists by slowing our progress on scientific discoveries and innovation.
Read More

UC Merced Joins Highest University Tier

The University of California at Merced, ARCS Foundation's newest university partner, has achieved R1 status (Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity)—Carnegie Classification's highest tier of U.S. research universities. Read more

Latest Program Approvals

During 2023–2024, ARCS Foundation added

Marine Biology at University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
Chemistry/Biochemistry at University of California at Merced
Cancer Biology and Neuroscience at Emory University
Psychology at Georgia Tech
Nutritional Science and Speech and Hearing at University of Arizona
Statistics at Stanford University

National review considers the caliber of faculty, quality of research, and strength of department to ensure that ARCS Scholar Awards go to students in leading programs of study.

For a complete list of our approved areas of study, click here.

"I am extremely grateful for ARCS, which has generously invested in University of Pittsburgh students pursuing doctoral degrees in science, technology, and medical innovation. For more than a decade, this support has enabled Pitt students to shape scientific leadership and advance innovations on a global stage, and for society's gain." —Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Former Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh

"I am inspired by the dedication of ARCS Foundation in raising funds every year for outstanding graduate students named as ARCS Scholars. This strong support has helped more than a hundred of our students attend conferences, update computers, and help pay child-care costs to make their work possible." — Dr. Morton Shaprio, President, Northwestern University

Our Chapters Fund ARCS Scholars at 51 Leading U.S. Research Universities

Atlanta Chapter Chartered 1992 Visit the chapter website	Emory University Georgia Institute of Technology Morehouse College University of Georgia
Colorado Chapter Chartered 1976 Visit the chapter website	University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus University of Colorado Boulder University of Colorado Colorado Springs University of Colorado Denver Colorado School of Mines Colorado State University
Honolulu Chapter Chartered 1974 Visit the chapter website	University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Illinois Chapter Chartered 1977 Visit the chapter website	Illinois Institute of Technology Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine Northwestern University The University of Chicago University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Los Angeles Chapter Chartered 1958 (Founding Chapter) Visit the chapter website	California Institute of Technology Harvey Mudd College University of California at Los Angeles Pomona College University of Southern California
Metropolitan Washington (D.C.) Chapter Chartered 1968 Visit the chapter website	Georgetown University The George Washington University Johns Hopkins University University of Maryland University of Virginia
Minnesota Chapter Chartered 2009 Visit the chapter website	University of Minnesota
National Organization Founded 1958	Purdue University
Northern California Chapter Chartered 1970 Visit the chapter website	San Francisco State University Stanford University University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Merced University of California, San Francisco University of California, Santa Cruz
Orange County Chapter Chartered 1999 Visit the chapter website	University of California at Irvine
Oregon Chapter Chartered 2004 Visit the chapter website	Oregon Health & Science University Oregon State University University of Oregon
Phoenix Chapter Chartered 1975 Visit the chapter website	Arizona State University Northern Arizona University University of Arizona
Pittsburgh Chapter Chartered 2003 Visit the chapter website	Carnegie Mellon University University of Pittsburgh
San Diego Chapter Chartered 1985 Visit the chapter website	San Diego State University Scripps Research University of California at San Diego University of San Diego
Seattle Chapter Chartered 1978 Visit the chapter website	University of Washington Washington State University
Utah Chapter Chartered 2009 Visit the chapter website	University of Utah