The Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program, in partnership with the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, is designed to increase Hispanic students' access to higher education in the pursuit of undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related fields.

The program provides annual college scholarships and 10-week summer internships (for three summers of undergraduate enrollment) including a stipend each summer. The program was launched in 2008 with a $4 million commitment from The Merck Company Foundation over five years.

Hispanic high school seniors who reside in Brownsville, Texas; Elizabeth, New Jersey; or Los Angeles, California, and who will pursue a college degree in a STEM field are eligible for a $42,500 award ($20,000 in scholarship funding, and up to $22,500 in internship support). Scholars also receive a mentorship with an Alliance Ciencia liaison and participate in an annual Ciencia Scholars symposium where the scholars present the results of their research, engage in lectures by professional scientists, and participate in workshops designed specifically for the scholars in a variety of subject areas.

The National Scholarship Program offers 125 one-year, $2,000 scholarships to Hispanic students pursuing STEM degrees each year.

To find out more about the National Alliance for Hispanic Health click here.