Scholars Programs

Our scholar programs offer strategic support to students through academic coaching, professional development, and inclusive community building.
Office of Inclusive Excellence
A student in a lab coat smiles for a photo in the lab while holding a pipette

Robert L. Ryan Scholars and Bridges Scholars Programs

The Robert L. Ryan Scholars and Bridges Scholars Programs are academic initiatives designed to support student success. The programs foster a supportive community that emphasizes both individual achievement and the collective success of the group.

  • Advising and Mentoring 

    Throughout their undergraduate journey, Ryan and Bridges Scholars benefit from regular one-on-one meetings with Office of Inclusive Excellence staff, who collaborate closely with Engineering Advising and faculty advisors. These sessions provide comprehensice advising support, including formulating personalized goals and action plans for their academic, personal, and professional success.

    During their first two years, meetings may address areas that are crucial for early career success, such as major selection, study techniques, time management, wellness strategies, and building productive relationships with faculty. As they advance into their junior and senior years, Ryan and Bridges Scholars work with staff to develop tailored post-graduation plans.

  • Professional Development

    Ryan and Bridges Scholars are eligible to apply for up to $500 annually to support approved academic and professional enhancement opportunities. These activities may include attending conferences, participating in service-learning opportunities, securing personalized tutoring, or acquiring supplemental course materials and technical aids not covered by financial aid.

    Dedicated professional development programming is offered each semester to create a supportive community to foster Scholars’ academic and career growth.

  • Selection – Bridges Scholars

    The Bridges Scholars Program provides a pathway for economically disadvantaged and first-generation college students to succeed at Cornell through strategic partnerships with select high schools, community-based organizations, and federal programs.

  • Selection – Ryan Scholars

    Each year, approximately 30 Engineering students are invited to participate in the Cornell Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (PSSP), a six-week summer academic residential program. Upon completion of their PSSP, they are confirmed as Ryan Scholars.

    In the engineering component of PSSP, scholars must take a spatial visualization development class. It is critical for students to attain familiarity and confidence in their spatial reasoning skills, particularly in engineering. Students also take math and computer science courses, participate in collaborative learning groups, and learn how to navigate the university and its resources.

    During PSSP, scholars live together in a community that integrates their academic and social experiences, fostering connections with other first-year Cornellians. Throughout the program, Scholars participate in community activities and engineering-specific events, laying a solid foundation for their university journey.

A student in lab coat and gloves uses a pipette in the lab

NACME Scholars

Cornell is a NACME Partner Institution and participates in NACME’s scholarship programs which include the Renewable Scholarships, Corporate Scholarships, and General Scholarships. To be eligible for a NACME administered scholarship, Cornell students must be majoring in engineering or computer science, a US citizen or permanent resident, and meet the minimum GPA requirements of the relevant scholarship. NACME’s mission is to increase investment in the domestic workforce.

At Cornell Engineering, the Office of Inclusive Excellence partners with NACME to award scholarships to talented students enrolled in engineering programs as part of their financial aid packages.

  • NACME Scholar Support

    Along with the monetary scholarship, which is annually renewable, those selected as Cornell NACME Scholars receive access to NACME’s Career Center. This resource connects to you to companies and other NACME corporate partners who have contributed to the NACME Scholarship program. These companies are interested in your academic success as well as providing internship and full-time opportunities.

  • Student Eligibility

    To be eligible for the NACME Scholars Program students must:

    • Enroll at Cornell Engineering,
    • Be a US citizen or permanent resident
    • Maintain the minimum GPA required of relevant scholarship