5 Scholarships and Grants for Biomechanics Students in 2025

Pursuing a degree or research in biomechanics can be rewarding—but also expensive. Fortunately, several scholarships and grants are available in 2025 to support students studying biomechanics, human movement science, kinesiology, and biomedical engineering. Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate student, or early-career researcher, these funding opportunities can help cover tuition, travel, or research expenses.

Here are 5 top scholarships and grants for biomechanics students in 2025 that you should know about.

1. ISB Matching Dissertation Grant Program

Offered by: International Society of Biomechanics (ISB)
Who it’s for: Ph.D. students conducting biomechanics-related dissertation work
Award Amount: Up to $5,000 USD
Deadline: April 1, 2025

This competitive grant helps support doctoral students with costs related to their dissertation research, such as data collection, equipment, or travel. ISB matches funding from another source (university or external sponsor), doubling your research budget.

Tip: You must be an ISB member to apply, so join early!

2. ASB Student Grant-In-Aid Program

Offered by: American Society of Biomechanics (ASB)
Who it’s for: Graduate students (Master’s or Ph.D.) in North America
Award Amount: Up to $2,000 USD
Deadline: March 31, 2025

This grant supports small research projects, including pilot studies, equipment calibration, or travel for data collection. It’s a great fit for early-stage graduate students.

Bonus: ASB membership is required, and recipients are encouraged to present their findings at the ASB Annual Meeting.

3. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Offered by: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Who it’s for: U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing STEM graduate research, including biomechanics
Award Amount: $37,000 stipend + $16,000 tuition support/year for 3 years
Deadline: October 2025 (exact date varies by field)

GRFP is one of the most prestigious fellowships in the U.S. and supports a broad range of interdisciplinary research topics—including biomechanics, kinesiology, and biomedical engineering.

Tip: Apply early in your graduate studies or during your senior undergraduate year.

4. ESB Mobility Grant

Offered by: European Society of Biomechanics (ESB)
Who it’s for: Students conducting collaborative research at different institutions in Europe
Award Amount: Up to €1,500 EUR
Deadline: February 28 and September 15 annually

This grant supports short-term research visits (2–6 weeks) to other labs, encouraging knowledge exchange and skill development. Ideal for graduate students looking to collaborate across borders.

Eligibility: Must be an ESB student member and based at a European institution.

5. NIH F31 Pre-Doctoral Fellowship

Offered by: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Who it’s for: U.S. graduate students pursuing biomedical Ph.D. research, including musculoskeletal biomechanics
Award Amount: Varies (stipend + tuition + research expenses)
Deadline: 3 cycles annually (April 8, August 8, December 8)

F31 fellowships support promising doctoral candidates who plan to pursue research careers in health-related fields. Biomechanics students often apply through NIH institutes like NIAMS or NIBIB.

Note: Requires a strong research proposal and faculty mentorship.

Honorable Mentions (More Funding to Explore)

• Biomechanics Travel Grants (ISB & ASB) – Support students presenting at major conferences
• University-Specific Awards – Many engineering and kinesiology departments offer internal scholarships
• NSERC CGS-M (Canada) – For Canadian students pursuing biomechanics-related master’s degrees
• DAAD Research Grants (Germany) – Fund biomechanics students pursuing research in German institutions

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