The Maureen D. Keller Undergraduate Scholarship

The Maureen D. Keller Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences to support the continuing STEM education of our Keller BLOOM Program participants. The $1,000 scholarship honors and remembers Dr. Maureen Keller and her dedication to quality research and education in the field of oceanography.

Our Keller BLOOM participants have already proven their academic and extracurricular prowess; the scholarship is awarded to a student who has shown the ability to overcome personal or financial challenges, received excellent letters of recommendation, and demonstrates a passion for science.

Students eligible to receive the Keller Scholarship will:

  • Have been a participant of the previous year's Keller BLOOM Program;
  • Be a high school senior at the time of application;
  • Be enrolled in a college/university program for the academic year following the award;
  • Intend to major in one of the STEM fields.

What is the deadline?

The deadline is April 15th. All application materials must be received by this date; incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

How may the Keller Scholar use the money?

The scholar may spend the funds on any aspect of education. This includes tuition and fees, books, housing, research, equipment, etc. We do not restrict the scholarship to U.S. citizens, or require that the scholar attend a U.S. school.

How do I apply?

For this application, you will be required to submit:

  • A transcript from your high school (informal with grades to date is fine).
  • A 300-word (maximum) description of what you have learned in the STEM field over the past year that has ignited your passion to pursue science as a career.
  • A 300-word (maximum) description of what you have done to spread awareness of what you learned in the Keller BLOOM Program or other STEM endeavors to others.
  • Please use the online application site emailed to you by the Keller BLOOM Program Director.
  • You will also be required to have two letters of recommendation submitted via our online form. Please have recommenders use the online submission site emailed to you by the Keller BLOOM Program Director.

Questions?

Please direct any questions to kellerscholarship@bigelow.org.

Elinor Tierney-Fife, the 2019 recipient of the annual Maureen D. Keller Undergraduate Scholarship awarded by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, receives the award from Dr. Benjamin Twining, Henry L. & Grace Doherty Vice President for Education.

The Keller Honor Roll:

  • 2022 Delaney Pascuzzo, West Bath: Environmental Science, University of Maine
  • 2021 Olivia Durham, Kennebunk: Marine Sciences, University of Maine Honors College
  • 2020 Jordan Snell, West Gardiner: Marine Sciences, Coastal Carolina University
  • 2019 Elinor Tierney-Fife, Portland: Biology, Bates College
  • 2018 Daniel McKeon, Searsport: Chemical Engineering, University of Maine
  • 2017 Sophia Hanscom, Norway: Marine Biology, Hawaii Pacific University
  • 2016 Elizaveta Maslak, Waterville: Environmental Engineering, Dartmouth College; Krisandra McNichol, Rockland: Microbiology, University of Maine
  • 2015 Jasmine Waite, Southport: Biochemistry and Food Science, University of Maine Orono Honors College; Payton Billingsley, Rockland: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mississippi State University
  • 2014 Teiga Martin, Newcastle: Marine Biology, University of Maine Orono; Jessie Moore, Orland: Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Maine Machias
  • 2013 Briar Bragdon, Windsor: Marine Science, University of New England; Sarah Caron, Boothbay Harbor: Marine Science, Wheaton College
  • 2012 Max Rawson, Bath: Biology, Colorado College
  • 2011 Kaitlyn Alley, Jonesport: Marine Science, Maine Maritime Academy and Sophie Ouellette, Frenchville: Biological Engineering, University of Maine, Orono
  • 2010 Sam Whittemore, Readfield: Geoscience, MIT
  • 2009 Katelyn Tracey, Franklin: Chemical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono
  • 2008 Lauren Grotton, Topsham: Marine Biology, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine
  • 2007 Vanessa Weber, Dedham: Microbiology, University of Maine, Orono
  • 2006 Amy Anderson, Westbrook: Marine Science, University of South Carolina
  • 2005 Jaime Dalrymple, West Farmington: Biology, Gordon College, Massachusetts
  • 2004 Robert Zimmerman, Roque Bluffs: Geology, University of Vermont
  • 2003 Joseph Overlock, Warren: Marine Biology, University of Maine-Machias
  • 2002 Erin Simendinger, Rockland: Bio-chemistry, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania

Education