Scientists are constantly working to find effective drugs, treatments, and vaccines to treat modern diseases and ailments. One method of research is the use of bioinformatics to understand biological data and accelerate the development of drugs and vaccines.
If the idea of biological data research fascinates you, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics will help you build an established career in this field. Follow this guide to find out more about the best Master’s in Bioinformatics scholarships to get your graduate education started.
What Is a Master’s in Bioinformatics?
A Master’s in Bioinformatics is an advanced degree in the cross-disciplinary field that spans computer science, statistics, mathematics and engineering to research and interpret biological data. Bioinformatics uses artificial intelligence, algorithm development, and programming languages such as Python to analyze and interpret biological data.
Master’s in Bioinformatics degrees help you use information technology to expedite scientific advancements in biological research, such as sequencing the molecular structure of virus genomes and using database algorithms to identify potential drug treatments.
This graduate degree also focuses on sharpening your interpretation skills, data organization skills, and understanding of data relationships. You will learn how to develop algorithms, the principles of software design, network architecture, data mining search strategies, and their applications in biological research.
As a graduate, you can expect career opportunities with pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, and personal care companies. You may also seek job opportunities in genotyping, gene sequencing, and designing and maintaining databases. With a strong background in molecular biology and excellent computational skills, you can find your dream job.
How Much Does a Master’s in Bioinformatics Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of graduate tuition and fees is $18,416. The cost for this advanced degree varies depending on many factors including the institution, if you are a part-time or full-time student, and whether you are attending your classes online or on-campus. Scholarships can help reduce the costs on pursuing a graudate degree.
When searching for a university, ensure you choose one that meets your goals and budget needs. At the University of Arizona, you will pay $25,200 for tuition with an estimated cost of living of $12,000 every year. At the University of California, Los Angeles, you will pay $17,756 for tuition if you are in-state or $32,852 if you reside outside of California.
Master’s in Bioinformatics Salary: How Much Can You Earn?
According to Payscale, with a Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics, you can earn an average salary of $79,000. One of the highest-paying careers in this field is a senior data scientist who earns between $91,000 and $161,000 per year.
Is a Master’s in Bioinformatics Worth It?
A Master’s in Bioinformatics offers you numerous career choices that pay high salaries. Moreover, some companies will offer perks and benefits to their bioinformatics employees. According to Glassdoor, you may receive benefits such as comprehensive health and life insurance, a flexible spending account (FSA), and a 401K pension fund.
The foundational knowledge in this advanced program can also help you transition to other fields such as software engineering and data science. You can also use it as a stepping stone to advance your education or profession as a microbiologist or professor. Since the bioinformatics industry is rapidly growing, you can find many career opportunities after graduating.
How to Pay for Your Bioinformatics Graduate Degree With Master’s in Bioinformatics Scholarships
A scholarship for a Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics will provide you with financial aid to cover tuition and in some cases your living expenses while you complete your degree. This assistance is usually free so you won’t have to repay it. There are different types of scholarships for this graduate program, including partial and full scholarships.
Partial scholarships cover limited aspects of your program’s requirements, while full scholarship caters to all your needs during your time as a student. You may also encounter need-based scholarships, which focus on graduate students who don’t have the financial ability but are willing to undertake this program.
Most Master’s in Bioinformatics scholarships require you to submit copies of academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and proof of enrollment in a relevant graduate program. You may need a 3.5 GPA or higher to be eligible for financial aid.
Best Master’s in Bioinformatics Scholarships: Overview
| Organization | Scholarship Name | How Much It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Binational Fulbright Commissions or US Embassies | Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program, USA | Full funding |
| Bioinformatics Training with Industry Support and Engagement (BITWISE) | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Financial Support | 50% of tuition |
| Boston University | BU Bioinformatics Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship | Partial funding |
| Boston University | BU Bioinformatics Program Merit Scholarships | Partial funding |
| Editing Press | Laura Bassi Scholarship | $750 |
| Ohio Higher Education | Choose Ohio First: Bioinformatics Scholarship Program | $5,200 per year |
| LaMantia Family Scholarship | National Italian American Foundation | $2,500 – $5,000 per year |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) | RIT Graduate Scholarships | 5% – 100% of tuition |
| San Diego State | SDSU AZTEC Scholarships | Full funding |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Study Scholarship | Full funding |
Best Master’s In Bioinformatics Scholarships: In Detail
Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program, USA | Binational Fulbright Commissions or US. Embassies
The Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Program, USA, supports international students from 155 countries. The financial support is only limited to those courses offered in the USA universities, and bioinformatics is one of them.
With over 4,000 students receiving this award annually, it’s an ideal financial aid option to apply for. It covers tuition, fees, airfare, health insurance, and a stipend. To apply for this scholarship, you have to be a citizen of one of the 155 eligible countries and follow the country’s application requirements on its website.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Financial Support | Bioinformatics Training With Industry Support and Engagement (BITWISE)
Qualified candidates receive funding to pay for half of the tuition of their Master’s of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. This program teaches biology, chemistry, statistics, and math, as well as how to use information technology to enhance biological research. Graduates can expect lucrative careers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or software industries.
Since this is a merit-based scholarship, you have to show academic excellence or demonstrate any other exceptional achievement you may have in this field. When applying for this scholarship, ensure you follow the different requirements and submit all documents by the stated deadline.
BU Bioinformatics Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship | Boston University
Boston University awards a merit-based diversity and inclusion scholarship to socially underrepresented groups in tertiary education. New admissions for the bioinformatics graduate program are eligible for additional funding during the degree. With great academic progress, you can renew the award for a total of three semesters if you are enrolled in this master’s program.
BU Bioinformatics Program Merit Scholarships | Boston University
Boston University provides merit-based scholarships to master’s students through funding from the NIH Institutional Training Grant in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. The school awards the scholarship based on the admissions application, so you do not need to submit a separate application for financial aid.
Both international students and US residents are eligible for this scholarship based on academic excellence and a passion for the field of bioinformatics.
Laura Bassi Scholarship | Editing Press
This scholarship provides master’s students with up to $750 for editorial assistance for their master’s theses. The application deadline for the program usually varies, depending on the year of the award. If you are currently enrolled for a master’s program, you can apply for the award as there are no institutional or national restrictions.
The application deadlines are 15 December 2021 for winter, 27 March 2022 for spring, and 27 July 2022 for summer. To complete the application process, you should submit the application form with your CV through the portal before the deadline.
LaMantia Family Scholarship | National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
The LaMantia Family Scholarship funds Italian-American students studying computer science and STEM technology. To apply for this scholarship, you have to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. In addition to the NIAF requirements, you should visit the specific website to learn more about LaMantia Family Scholarship so as to complete the application process successfully.
Choose Ohio First for Bioinformatics Scholarship Program | Ohio University
The Choose Ohio First for Bioinformatics Scholarship Program offers financial awards and educational opportunities to students interested in building a career in bioinformatics and related fields. This program provides up to $5,200 per year to STEM students at multiple universities across Ohio.
To qualify for this financial award, you must be an Ohio resident who demonstrates academic excellence and a passion for this field. You should be interested in biological data research to help improve medicine through information technology. This program prioritizes granting funds to underrepresented STEM student groups.
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RIT Graduate Scholarships | Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
RIT provides financial aid and scholarships to selected outstanding graduate students in all departments, including those enrolled in a Master’s of Bioinformatics. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and can range from five percent to 100 percent of tuition. Usually, the institution covers around 30 percent of tuition, however, it does not include a monthly stipend for living expenses.
SDSU AZTEC Scholarships | San Diego State University (SDSU)
The SDSU AZTEC Scholarships Program offers almost 700 scholarship opportunities to help students accomplish their academic goals. The SDSU application portal allows you to apply for the financial award using one application. To qualify as a candidate, you must submit the application documents through Aztec and complete the process before the deadline.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Study Scholarship | The University of Texas at Dallas
The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Study Scholarship supports students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The program helps young talents who intend to accomplish their career goals and enhance academic development. With this award, you can undertake your Master’s in Bioinformatics at UT Dallas.
To be eligible for this award, you must be a graduate student or fast-track undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Dallas who plans on enrolling for a master’s of science program as a full-time student.
How to Pay for Your Bioinformatics Graduate Degree Without Scholarships: Alternative Financial Aid Options
If you are ineligible for a scholarship or do not successfully receive funding, there are other financial aid options to take advantage of. Having additional financial aid options can help you build a career in bioinformatics. Below are some options you can use instead of scholarship awards.
Federal Student Aid
The US Government offers low-interest direct loans to students pursuing master’s degrees. With Federal Student Aid, you can apply for a loan and receive the necessary resources to help you complete your Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics. You will need to plan for the loan repayment, which normally takes six to 12 months after completing school.
Employer’s Higher Education Benefit
If you already have a job working in bioinformatics, you may be able to use your employer’s higher education benefit to finance your master’s degree. To ensure you benefit from such offers, you have to research the policies of your employer’s financial aid concerning these programs. Some companies cover partial tuition fees while others pay the full amount.
Federal Graduate PLUS Loans
If you have a direct Federal Student Aid loan that does not cover all of your financial needs, you can find assistance with the Federal Graduate PLUS Loans. You only need to present your Direct Loan request and complete the online application to be considered for financial support.
Should You Apply for Master’s in Bioinformatics Scholarships?
Financing a Master’s in Bioinformatics can be an uphill battle, especially if you have limited funds. But thanks to scholarships that offer partial or full financial awards, you can study stress-free and accomplish your academic goals to enhance your career.
Master’s degrees are not the only option for a successful career in this growing field. If your scholarship application is unsuccessful and you are looking for other options to break into the bioinformatics field, check out this guide on how to learn bioinformatics.
Master’s in Bioinformatics Scholarships FAQ
What do I need to apply for a Master’s in Bioinformatics scholarship?
The requirements of a scholarship vary depending on the program and the association or foundation offering it. However, there are common items you may need to bring for the application process. They include academic transcripts, a CV or resume, letters of recommendation, maintaining a certain GPA, and excellent academic records.
What is the highest pay for a bioinformatics professional?
According to Payscale, as a bioinformatics scientist, you can earn a salary of up to $136,000. Having a Master’s in Bioinformatics presents you with numerous high-paying opportunities including science project manager and senior data scientist.
What are the admission requirements of a bioinformatics graduate degree?
Depending on the university you want to join, you will encounter different admission requirements for the course. Some of the main requirements include completing the application process, paying the application fee, high language test scores, completing relevant undergraduate programs, specific GPA value, and a certain number of credits.
Should I get a faculty advisor to apply for my bioinformatics?
No, you do not need a faculty advisor to apply for an advanced degree in bioinformatics.
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