IISE Undergraduate & Graduate Scholarships
Offered by Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
About This Scholarship
The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers runs an annual slate of named scholarships - the Dwight D. Gardner, Harold and Inge Marcus, C.B. Gambrell, Marvin Mundel, UPS Scholarship for Female Students, and more than a dozen others - worth up to $5,000 each for industrial and systems engineering students. In the 2026 cycle, the Marcus fund alone put seven $4,000 awards into students' hands, and most named funds award between $1,000 and $5,000.
The process has two gates. First, students must be nominated (self-nomination is not allowed) - in practice, by a department head or faculty member - with nominations open September 15 and due November 15. Qualified nominees then submit an application package by February 1 that includes transcripts (unofficial accepted), three one-page letters of recommendation, and award-specific materials. IISE membership is required, and applicants must be enrolled full-time in an ISE program accredited by an agency IISE recognizes.
For industrial engineering majors, the move is to ask your department chair or IISE student chapter advisor about nomination before the November 15 cutoff. Because every award shares the same nomination pipeline and most students never ask, nominated candidates face thin competition for a deep pool of named funds. Winners are notified in March and April and celebrated at the IISE Annual Conference in May.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate or graduate student in industrial and systems engineering or an equivalent accredited program
- Enrolled full-time at an institution accredited by an agency or organization recognized by IISE
- Active IISE member
- Must be nominated by November 15 - self-nomination is not allowed
- Individual named awards add criteria (e.g., female students for the UPS award, specific interest areas for Mundel and Kroeze)
How To Apply
- Ask your ISE department head, professor, or IISE student chapter advisor to nominate you after nominations open September 15
- Ensure the nomination is submitted by November 15
- If nominated, complete the application package - application form, transcripts (unofficial accepted), and three letters of recommendation no longer than one page each - by February 1
- Winners are notified in March-April and encouraged to attend the IISE Annual Conference & Expo in May
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for IISE scholarships myself?
Not directly - candidates may not self-nominate. A faculty member or department head submits the nomination by November 15, and nominated students then complete the full application by February 1.
How much are IISE scholarships worth?
Named awards run up to $5,000. In the 2026 cycle, awards included seven $4,000 Marcus scholarships, a $5,000 renewable-once award, and multiple $1,000-$2,500 funds.
Do I need to be an IISE member?
Yes, IISE membership is required for the scholarship program, and the student rate is modest compared to the award amounts.