In 1998, Los Alamos National Laboratory and its employees, retirees, and contractors partnered with the LANL Foundation to create the Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund (LAESF). The goal of this general fund is to provide scholarships that support the students of Northern New Mexico who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in fields that will serve the region. Merit-based awards are determined by academic performance, leadership potential, critical thinking skills, and career goals. Financial need, diversity, and regional representation are integral components of the selections process for all awards.
This Fund was established in 1999 to create lasting scholarship opportunities for Northern New Mexico students. Its goal is to increase the number of scholarships available each year, while ensuring permanent funding.
Our neighboring Pueblos and Tribes encourage students to pursue business-related degrees and use their skills to enhance economic development in their communities. These one-year $1,000 scholarships support the growing need for qualified accountants, financial analysts, and business information system professionals within Tribal communities. Scholarships are administered by the LANL Foundation, and a Tribal/Laboratory Advisory Committee manages the program and selects winners.
The Regional College/Returning Student (RC/RS) Scholarship fund was created in 2011 to support motivated students returning to a formal education, after a hiatus for other pursuits. These one-year $1,000 scholarships are for nontraditional students seeking to expand their career opportunities with a certificate or a two-year degree through a program in the region.
Former Laboratory Director John Browne and his wife Marti established the Endowed Leadership Scholarship Fund in 2000. The goal of this fund is to create lasting scholarship opportunities for Northern New Mexico students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and achievements in their home, school, or community. In addition to meeting LAESF’s rigorous merit-based requirements, students who receive this award also have significant financial need.
Senator Pete Domenici made immense contributions to Los Alamos National Laboratory and communities of Northern New Mexico. Senator Domenici also played a leadership role in obtaining the $35 million appropriation that created the LANL Foundation’s endowment. To honor Senator, the LANL Foundation established the Senator Pete Domenici Endowed Scholarship Fund. In Pete’s spirit, the fund is dedicated to providing scholarships to local high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their schools and communities and exhibit academic excellence and financial need. These awards help foster the competitiveness of New Mexico’s workforce in an increasingly complex global economy. This fund annually awards one $10,000 scholarship (four-year $2,500 award) to a student each of the seven Northern New Mexico counties served by the Foundation.
LAESF is building an endowment from contributions made by retired LANL employees to provide scholarships for students pursuing degrees critical to the needs of the Laboratory and the region. Emphasis for these awards will be placed on students who have high academic achievement and financial need, with preference to those pursuing STEM degrees.
This fund honors Bret Knapp (1958–2014), a brilliant engineer and leader with a distinguished career in public service at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Weapons Program as senior manager of the weapons engineering, design, and production organizations, and at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This one-year scholarship will be awarded to a student who demonstrates strong leadership and is pursuing a mechanical, or similar, engineering degree. Additional consideration is given to student athletes who exhibit leadership in sports or community service, and students with a passion for math.
Don Cobb was an active LANL Foundation board member with a long and distinguished career at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 2006, Don and his wife Connie were instrumental in creating the LANL Workforce Retirees' Scholarship Fund. In 2016, inspired by their daughter, an elementary school teacher, they established an endowment to fund a $1,000 one-year scholarship for students pursuing degrees in education.
The Climate Change Leadership Institute created this one-year $1,000 scholarship to support students pursuing degrees in Earth & environmental sciences.
In 2015, after 17 years of leadership, LANL Foundation founder and CEO Susan Herrera retired. The Foundation board of directors established this scholarship award in her name. Herrera scholars embody Susan’s spirit of community and leadership, and exemplify the resiliency and determination of students in Northern New Mexico who must work hard to earn every grade in school. This fund annually awards one $10,000 scholarship (four-year $2,500 award).
Tim Martin grew up in El Rito, NM and was deeply connected to the community. He excelled in academics and sports, was active in 4-H, tutored his peers, and graduated at the top of his class at Mesa Vista High School. After he graduated with honors from New Mexico State University College of Agriculture, Tim returned home to work on the family cattle ranch, served as a volunteer fire fighter, and supported his family and neighbors with needed projects, always exemplifying the meaning of generosity and hard work. When Tim passed away from cancer at 44, his family created the Tim Martin Memorial Scholarship Fund in his honor. These $1,000 awards are given each year to Mesa Vista High School seniors who reflect Tim’s spirit of community service and academic performance. Tim Martin Scholarships also honor JoAnn Martin, Tim’s mother, who passed away in 2017 and displayed strength, kindness, and active support for local students. This fund is mainly supported by the Martin family and friends, but anyone may contribute.
