Cosmos Scholars Prize - Applications Opening March 2026

The Cosmos Club Foundation’s Cosmos Scholars Prize recognizes the significant achievements of recent Ph.D. graduates from Washington, DC, area universities. The Prize includes $25,000 in recognition of their talent. Awardees are honored at a reception at the historic Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C., where they share insights from their doctoral research with Cosmos Club members and invited guests.

The prestigious Cosmos Scholars Prize is awarded annually to outstanding recent PhDs whose groundbreaking research spans the Arts & Humanities, Biological/Biomedical, Computer Science & Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences & Economics. Awardees are selected for the originality of their work and the potential to drive innovation in their disciplines.

Cosmos Scholars Prize

The Cosmos Scholars Prize awards recipients for their rigorous research. The winners will attend a special event in their honor, held at the Cosmos Club, where they will speak in their fields of expertise.

Prize Categories Include:

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Biological/Biomedical Research
  • Computer Science and Mathematics
  • Physical Sciences
  • Social Science and Economics

Eligible Institutions

  • American University
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Gallaudet University
  • George Mason University
  • The George Washington University*
    *The former Corcoran College of Art & Design is now part of The George Washington University
  • Georgetown University
  • Howard University
  • Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
  • Marymount University
  • Trinity University
  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
  • University of Maryland College Park

Cosmos Club Foundation Scholars Prize: Previous Recipients

2025 Cosmos Scholars Prize Recipients

Name Institution Research Field
Grace E.K. Benson American University Social Science and Economics
Andrew Gibson Georgetown University Social Science and Economics
Andrew Goffin University of Maryland College Park Physical Science
Loan Khanh Ly Catholic University of America Biological and Biomedical Research