Since its founding by six visionary leaders in 1975, the National Society of Black Engineers, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has grown to more than 32,000 members globally, blossoming into a leading force in the lives of technical professionals and students on college campuses worldwide. The mission of the National Society of Black Engineers is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. In 1989, a NSBE alumni chapter in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area was established and officially chartered in 1990 with 20 members. The National Society of Black Engineers Washington DC Metropolitan Area Professional Chapter (NSBE DC) has been active in the region for over 25 years with a strong indelible legacy of excellence and dedication to our members as well as the local community.
Scholarship Objective
The NSBE DC Professionals would like to recognize outstanding collegiate members who have made special contributions to the community, STEM pipeline development, and technological innovation. The inaugural College Initiative Scholarship Program offers (2) scholarships for NSBE Collegiate members: The Katherine Johnson Trailblazer Scholarship and James West Innovator Scholarship. Each scholarship recipient will be awarded $5,000 which may be used to cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, room and board, and other college-related expenses. Funds are distributed in the Fall of the application year.
All applicants must be active NSBE Collegiate members or NSBE Collegiate Affiliate members with a membership ID number, currently enrolled in an undergraduate academic program at a higher educational institution in the greater Washington, DC Metropolitan area.
Applicants must include copies of their collegiate student resume, (un)official transcript, and two signed letters of recommendation from – (1) a professor or professional mentor that can speak to your leadership skills, and (2) a NSBE Advisor, regional, or chapter leader who can speak to your NSBE involvement and activity. The NSBE DC Collegiate Scholarship Program is currently only valid for undergraduate students’ second through senior years in college; this award is not renewable for subsequent years.
Applicants must be Black/African-American college students completing their freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year (December graduates ONLY) in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area at one of the following institutions below and at the time of application, scholarship applicants must have completed at least one semester of college and/or have at least one semester remaining.
Application Process
The NSBE DC Katherine Johnson Trailblazer Scholarship and James West Innovator Scholarship Application is currently closed for the 2025 application cycle. Please come back later for updates on the 2026 application!
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered for the scholarship.
Should there be questions in regards to completing the application, please contact collegeinitiative@nsbedc.org.
Application Deadline
The NSBE DC Katherine Johnson Trailblazer Scholarship and James West Innovator Scholarship application(s) are normally due in April of the application year. Please come back later for updates on the 2026 application!
Recommenders, please include the student’s name and item (e.g. letter of recommendation or transcript) in the subject line. Submissions must be received by 11:59 PM EST on the application close date.
For electronic submissions, the supplemental information should be saved in one of the following formats (pdf, docx, or jpg; however, PDF is preferred) and submitted directly through the application form, or emailed to collegeinitiative@nsbedc.org.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Professionals Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Chapter
Attn: CI Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 2955 Washington, DC 20013
Scholarship Application Criteria
For questions regarding the NSBE DC Katherine Johnson Trailblazer Scholarship and James West Innovator Scholarship, please contact NSBE DC Professionals College Initiative Chair at collegeinitiative@nsbedc.org, or the CI Scholarship Committee at scholarships@nsbedc.org.
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