The Michigan-based Leinweber Foundation has established the new Leinweber STEM Scholars Fund in the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) to provide scholarships for in-state undergraduate students from rural counties who are majoring in a STEM field, and interested in staying and working in Michigan following graduation. The gift was inspired by software entrepreneur Larry Leinweber's own experiences growing up on a rural farm in Osceola County. Leinweber got his first job at age 12 and, determined to get ahead, worked multiple jobs throughout his high school and college years to finance his education.

The Leinweber STEM Scholars scholarship launches in fall 2025 and will award a $30,000 scholarship to four second-year students who are earning a degree in physics, chemistry, biology, math, or computer science—or a teaching degree in one of these majors. Students are eligible for $10,000 per year for up to three years of renewable support. Once fully awarded, as early as fall 2027, the scholarship will support four sophomores, four juniors, and four seniors annually.

"The Leinweber Foundation is excited to support students whose backgrounds and interests closely connect with my father's," said Ashley Leinweber, vice president of the Leinweber Foundation. "We hope that Leinweber STEM Scholars will find the freedom to more fully explore enriching opportunities and resources available to STEM students at U-M, including innovative STEM-based research, while thinking about how they can apply their degree to make a difference in Michigan communities."

Larry Leinweber, courtesy of the Leinweber Foundation

Since 2010, the Leinweber family has committed more than $35 million to the University of Michigan, where their support touches all corners of campus, from the Leinweber Center for Theoretical Physics in LSA to the new Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building on North Campus. Leinweber generosity has enriched the experiences of students in the School of Information, Michigan Engineering, LSA, the Medical School, and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. They created the Leinweber Software Scholars Program at Michigan Engineering in 2013, which provides scholarships to computer science students.

"The Leinweber STEM Scholars scholarship enables LSA to continue to expand access and maintain affordability for in-state students," said Tim McKay, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Physics, Astronomy, Education, and associate dean for undergraduate education in LSA. "We are deeply grateful to the Leinweber Foundation for looking to LSA to help carry out the foundation’s mission to develop and retain STEM talent in the state that will contribute to Michigan’s economic and technological development."

Apply for the Leinweber STEM Scholarship

The application for the Leinweber STEM Scholars scholarship is open until June 1, 2025. Details about the scholarship can be found on LSA's Returning Student Scholarship page.

Top photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography

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