Dr. Bart Kamen Memorial FIRST Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Sponsored by FIRST

Introduction
The Dr. Bart Kamen Memorial FIRST Scholarship Fund awards financial support to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in biomedical engineering or preparing for medical school. The Fund advances FIRST’s mission to change culture so that science and technology are celebrated and young people aspire to be leaders in those fields. Through awards to students who have distinguished themselves in FIRST programs, the Fund honors Dr. Bart Kamen’s legacy and commitment to improving patient care.

Award overview
Each year the Grant Selection Committee may award up to four initial scholarships of $10,000. These awards can be renewed for up to three additional years (for a maximum of four years total) provided recipients continue to satisfy the eligibility requirements listed below. Selection emphasizes academic achievement, personal character, demonstrated enthusiasm for biomedical engineering and/or medicine, and active participation in FIRST programs. Financial need may be taken into account but is not required.

Application timing and announcements
The application opens annually; openings and deadlines are announced in FIRST newsletters and on FIRST social channels. Additional information and a list of previous recipients are available from the Fund.

Selection process and finality
Award decisions are made by the Dr. Bart Kamen Memorial FIRST Scholarship Fund Grant Selection Committee. The Committee’s determinations regarding recipients and all other Fund decisions are final and not subject to judicial or other review. By applying, applicants agree to be bound by the Committee’s decisions.

Initial grant — eligibility criteria
To be considered for an initial $10,000 scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following:

- Be a high school senior or a high school graduate who has not yet begun full-time undergraduate studies at a college or university.
- Have been accepted to, or applied for admission to, an Eligible Undergraduate Program. An Eligible Undergraduate Program is a full-time program in Biomedical Engineering or Premedical Studies, or a program that allows completion of the core pre-medical coursework (for example biology, physics, chemistry and organic chemistry) so the student will be eligible to apply to medical school upon graduation. The college or university must be (i) in the United States, eligible to participate in federal Title IV student financial aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education, or (ii) if located outside the United States, hold comparable accreditation.
- Have served at least one year as a team member on a FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, or FIRST Robotics Competition team.
- Submit the online application and all required supporting materials by the posted deadline at: https://bartkamenmemorialfirstscholarship.submittable.com/submit
- If requested, take part in a telephonic, in-person, or virtual interview with the Grant Selection Committee.
- If selected, provide FIRST with a completed IRS Form W-9.

Ineligible individuals
FIRST employees and officers, members of the FIRST Board of Directors, members of the Grant Selection Committee, and their immediate and extended family members (spouses; parents; children; grandchildren; siblings; and the spouses of parents, children, grandchildren, and siblings) are not eligible to apply.

Notification, public announcement, and payment conditions
Recipients will be notified by April 1 each year and awardees’ names will be publicly announced in April. Scholarship disbursement is contingent upon admission to and enrollment in an Eligible Undergraduate Program by May 1 of the award year.

Contact and more information
For application instructions and deadlines, use the application portal at: https://bartkamenmemorialfirstscholarship.submittable.com/submit.