College of Science
College of Science

More than 900 students have declared majors in the College of Science. In our college, students have many opportunities to engage in hands-on, real-world research. Our graduates go on to some of the most prestigious graduate and medical schools in the country, and to successful careers in industry, government and academia. Our talented and dedicated faculty won more than $14 million in research funding in fiscal year 2025. The college's contributions to research and Ph.D. education were critical to the university reaching R1 research status.  Because almost every academic program requires courses offered by the College of Science, your gift today will have a positive impact on students throughout the university. Your generosity will help support students in the following ways:



College of Science Scholarships

The cost of higher education is one of the major barriers keeping qualified students from attending the University of Idaho. In the current economic climate, scholarships are more important than ever. Your gift to scholarships will help students complete their degrees and provide access to the benefits of a University of Idaho education for future Vandals.

Gene '84 and Tammy Taft are generously matching gifts to the Harley Johansen Scholarship.



College of Science Excellence Fund

Gifts to the Excellence Fund allow the college to respond quickly to provide support for students facing financial hardships through our student emergency fund. We want to ensure that unexpected expenses do not prevent students from completing their degrees in a timely manner.

We also use the Excellence Fund for a number of other programs, including:

  • Competitive travel grants that allow students and faculty to travel for research and professional meetings and conferences.
  • Study abroad scholarships to help students enhance their education through experiences of new people, cultures, and places. Students have recently participated in programs in Chile, Spain and the United Kingdom.
  • The annual College of Science Student Research Expo, which highlights original work by undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Student, faculty and staff awards.
  • Outreach to encourage prospective students to join the Vandal Family.

Dean Ginger Carney has set up a challenge for gifts from College of Science faculty, staff, retirees, and advisory board members. Matching gifts will be directed to the college's Excellence Fund.

An anonymous donor is matching gifts to the College of Science on Vandal Giving Day - matching gifts will go to the Excellence Fund.

 


College of Science Undergraduate Research Fund

Hands-on research is a highlight of a University of Idaho education. We encourage undergraduates to learn science by doing science. Past participants in undergraduate research have gone on to graduate school and medical school at some of the most prestigious universities in the country, including Stanford, Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Cal Tech, MIT, and the University of Washington. Gifts to the Undergraduate Research Fund will be used to fund competitive research grants that help recruit outstanding students and prepare them for successful careers.

Brian and Gayle Hill are generously matching gifts to the College of Science - matching gifts will support undergraduate research.

 


Thank you!

Your generosity truly makes a difference in our students' lives - we could not do it without you. Thank you!

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Eric Bennett at ebennett@uidaho.edu.

$2,500
Vandal Legacy Scholarship Challenge
Help build the Vandal Legacy Scholarship one rung at a time. When Vandals reach 150 gifts, a generous donor will unlock a total of $25,000 to support future generations of Vandals. Every gift helps the Honors College at University of Idaho get closer to their goal.
25 Gift Goal
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2
Match
Brian & Gayle Hill Undergraduate Research Match
Brian and Gayle Hill are matching all gifts to the College of Science on Vandal Giving Day, up to $10,000.  Matching funds will support undergraduate research opportunities.
$50
First Time Donor Challenge
If you are an alumni or current student who has never before made a gift to University of Idaho, please consider making your first give today! Your gift of at least $10 (to any fund on Vandal Giving Day) will be matched with a $50 donation to the Vandal Food Pantry.
$10 Goal
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$500
Early Bird Challenge
Whoever makes the first gift on April 7 will earn an additional $500 to the fund of their choice!
1 Gift Goal
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$500
Dean Ginger Carney Participation Challenge
For every 5 gifts from College of Science faculty, staff, retirees, and advisory board members, $500 will be unlocked — up to a total of $1,000 in challenge funds. Thank you Dean Carney!
5 Gift Goal
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$500
The 1889 Challenge
The 1,889 gift receives an additional $500 to the fund of their choice!
1,889 Gift Goal
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Leaderboard
Kick Off Challenge
The top three funds that receives the most gifts in the first 10 hours on April 7 will unlock an additional $1,000 donation!
Kick Off Challenge (157)
Event
Procrastinator Award
The last gift to Vandal Giving Day receives an additional $500 bonus to the fund of their choice.
Event
Vandal Trivia
We're posting five trivia questions on X (formerly Twitter) and the first person to answer correctly gets to direct $100 to the fund of their choice. Be sure to follow @UIdahoAlumni to join in the fun.
Event
Sip & Select Challenge
We want to give our colleges some Vandal Giving Day love! Enter the Vandal Giving Day College Challenge. The college with the most votes at the Sip Station on Campus earns $250 to their designated fund. Stop by with your family and friends to support your college and University of Idaho!
5
Match
College of Science Excellence Fund Double the Impact!
During Vandal Giving Day, every gift to the College of Science, will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000. Double your impact and support scholarships, research, and hands-on learning for Vandal science students. Give on Vandal Giving Day and help us unlock the full match!
2
Match
Harley Johansen Memorial Scholarship Match
A generous $1,000 match is now available for the Harley Johansen Memorial Scholarship to help support student scholarships.
$1,000
ICCU Vandal Promise Scholarship
For every 100 gifts made during Vandal Giving Day, $1,000 will be unlocked to Vandal Promise Scholarships, up to $10,000, thanks to our partners at Idaho Central Credit Union.
100 Gift Goal
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$5,000
Foundation Participation Challenge
Every gift counts—and now, every 500 gift unlocks an additional $5,000, up to $25,000 in bonus funds! The more Vandals who give, the more we unlock to support students, programs, and initiatives across the University of Idaho.
500 Gift Goal
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$500
Faculty & Staff Challenge
The 250th gift from a faculty/staff member will win a $500 bonus for the fund of their choice!
250 Gift Goal
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Leaderboard
Scholarship Leaderboard
During Vandal Giving Day, every gift toward scholarships helps your favorite scholarship fund get a step closer to receiving a bonus! The three scholarship funds with the most gifts during our 1,889 minutes will receive a bonus.
Scholarship Leader Board (43)
Leaderboard
Leader of Ambassadors
The 10 ambassadors who inspire the most number of gifts throughout Vandal Giving Day 2026 will receive a $350 bonus to award to the fund of their choice!
Vandal Giving Day Ambassadors (157)
Event
Find Joe Vandal
There are 20 hidden Joe Vandals around campus. If you find one please bring it to the ASUI Lounge in the Idaho Student Union Building. You get to designate $100 to the fund of your choice.
Event
Payroll Deducation Bonus Challenge
Every new payroll deduction on April 7 and 8 will be automatically entered into a drawing for four $250 bonuses to the fund of their choice. Three bonuses each day will be awarded.
Vandal Pride Far and Wide!
Rank State Gifts
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1 AA 0
1 AE 0
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Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at vandalsgive@uidaho.edu.