The women investing in tomorrow's discoveries

Nearly 70 years ago, a group of women made an unconventional investment.

Rather than waiting to celebrate scientific breakthroughs after they made headlines, they chose to support the people who would make those breakthroughs possible.

That idea became the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation. Founded in 1958, the organization has spent nearly seven decades investing in exceptional doctoral students pursuing careers in science, engineering and medicine. Today, that legacy continues at Arizona State University, where the ARCS Foundation Phoenix Chapter partners with the Graduate College to support doctoral researchers tackling some of society's most pressing challenges.
It's a simple idea that has stood the test of time: when talented researchers have the resources to pursue ambitious questions, everyone benefits.

A legacy of believing in people

The ARCS Foundation was born during a period of extraordinary scientific ambition. As the United States entered the Space Race and expanded its investment in research, the foundation's founders saw an opportunity to make a different kind of contribution.

They believed that scientific progress depends on people willing to dedicate years of their lives to solving difficult problems, so they built a volunteer-led organization with a singular mission: to identify promising doctoral students early in their professional careers and provide them with support to focus on their research.

Every member of the ARCS Foundation serves as a volunteer and every dollar donated directly supports scholars. Since its founding, the organization has awarded nearly $148 million to more than 12,835 scholars across their network of 15 chapters, at more than 50 leading research universities across the country.

The return on that investment is measured not only in student support but in discoveries. On average, nine out of 10 ARCS scholars build careers in science, engineering and medicine, contributing to advances that improve lives and expand knowledge. Among the organization's alumni is astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, whose career reflects the foundation's longstanding commitment to recognizing exceptional talent before the rest of the world does.
Identifying talent is only part of the equation. ARCS also provides support to doctoral students when they may need it most.

For ARCS Foundation National President Jill Bray, who previously led the Phoenix Chapter, the goal is about helping exceptional researchers persist.

“It helps to get the student through those really critical years of their program — two, three and four — where you’re really in the thick of your doctoral degree.”

It’s a stage when promising researchers have already demonstrated their potential, but the finish line can still be years away.

“It’s like talent spotting,” she said. “We feel like we’re spotting the talent just like the schools are and funding them.”

Investing in Arizona's next generation of researchers

That national mission takes on a local focus through the ARCS Foundation Phoenix Chapter's partnership with Arizona State University's Graduate College.

Each year, the chapter recognizes academically outstanding doctoral students pursuing degrees in eligible science, engineering and medical research programs. For the 2026–27 academic year, each ARCS scholar at ASU receives an $8,500 unrestricted award distributed across the fall and spring semesters.

The word “unrestricted” is important.

Unlike funding earmarked for a particular experiment, piece of equipment or conference, ARCS awards go to scholars themselves. Students decide how the money can best support their individual circumstances and their ability to continue their research.

“That’s one thing that we’re really proud of,” Bray said. “Our funds are unrestricted, and our funds go to the student. They don’t go to the lab, they don’t go to the school. They don’t go to the PI. They go to the student directly.”

Over the years, she has seen scholars use their awards in both expected and unexpected ways. Some purchase research equipment or travel to conferences to present their work and build professional connections. Others have used the money for rent or childcare so they can spend the necessary hours in the lab.

One scholar used some of his support to buy a suit.

“I’ll never forget, he stood up and said, ‘I want to thank ARCS for buying this suit that I’m wearing,’” Bray recalled.

The comment drew laughs at the time, but behind it was something consequential. Professional conferences aren’t only places to share research. They’re where doctoral students meet future collaborators, fellowship sponsors and employers. For that student, having professional clothing was another piece of being able to participate fully in that world.

Graduate researchers balance coursework, teaching, publishing, conference travel and years of intensive research. Because ARCS funding is unrestricted, scholars can decide where those resources will have the greatest impact on their work and their professional development.

"Every day, ASU graduate students are tackling complex questions that have the potential to improve lives and expand knowledge," said Katrina Roalson, executive director of Business Services and Administration in the Graduate College. "Support from partners like the ARCS Foundation not only recognizes their academic achievements but also gives them the flexibility to focus on the research that will shape our future."

Through partnerships with organizations like the ARCS Foundation, the Graduate College helps connect philanthropic investment with exceptional graduate researchers at ASU.

Behind every breakthrough at ASU is a researcher whose work depended on early investment. For the Graduate College, partnerships like ARCS strengthen a broader commitment to supporting doctoral researchers throughout every stage of their academic journey. Alongside world-class faculty, research facilities and interdisciplinary collaboration, philanthropic partners provide another essential ingredient: confidence in promising scholars before their work reaches its full potential.

Investing before the breakthrough

Every scientific breakthrough begins long before the world notices. Sometimes it starts with years of careful experiments. Sometimes it grows from countless hours in the field or long nights analyzing data. Just as often, it begins with a researcher willing to pursue a seemingly impossible question and someone willing to invest before the outcome is certain.

For ARCS, that investment represents more than financial support.

“I’ve heard the students say more than once that they feel like our support shows that somebody believes in the work that they’re doing,” Jill said.

That belief can be especially meaningful during the difficult middle years of a doctoral program. Research rarely follows a predictable path. Experiments fail. Results aren’t what researchers expect. A seemingly straightforward question can lead to years of unexpected challenges.

“You know how research goes. You have ups, and you have downs,” Jill said. “You can have a lot of struggle. It’s not easy. It’s a long road.”

ARCS scholars are selected because they have already demonstrated exceptional promise, but no one can know where their research will ultimately lead. Supporting them at this stage means placing confidence in the researcher as much as the research.

“It’s not just the financial support that we provide, but it’s the emotional support,” Jill said. “Somebody is showing support and indicating that their research is valuable, that what they’re doing is important and that they should keep on doing it.”

That philosophy has also helped create relationships between ARCS members and scholars that extend beyond an award. Members meet researchers, hear about their work, and, in some cases, remain connected as their careers develop.

Their investment isn’t simply in individual research projects. It’s in people — students whose work may lead to cleaner energy, better health care, stronger technologies and discoveries that haven’t yet been imagined.

At Arizona State University, that tradition continues with every new class of ARCS scholars, helping today’s doctoral researchers become tomorrow’s innovators.

And long before anyone knows what those researchers might discover, the message behind the investment is already clear: Your work matters. Keep going.

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Learn more

ARCS is one of many funding opportunities that help ASU doctoral students advance their research. Throughout the year, the Graduate College partners with philanthropic organizations and administers competitive awards that recognize academic excellence and help students continue making progress toward their degrees.

If you’re a student interested in this award, review the eligibility criteria and express your interest to your faculty advisor. The ARCS award requires department nomination.

How the ARCS award supports graduate students

• Who it's for: Doctoral students in eligible STEM fields
• What it provides: $8,500 to recipients' student account
• Why it matters: Gives researchers flexibility to focus on discovery
• Learn more: ARCS at ASU Graduate College

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Sources:

ARCS National Organization History
ARCS Phoenix Chapter