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The Big Bang Theory Creates $4m Scholarship for Low-Income STEM Students

By Kostas Triantafyllou on Jun 1, 2015

The popular CBS sitcom’s cast members, executives and crew have endowed a scholarship fund at the University of California, Los Angeles, to provide financial aid to low-income undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper) and UCLA alumna Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler) are among the cast, crew and executives funding a scholarship for STEM students. Image credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper) and UCLA alumna Mayim Bialik (Amy Farrah Fowler) are among the cast, crew and executives funding a scholarship for STEM students. Image credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

The Big Bang Theory Scholarship Endowment has already raised more than $4 million, with an initial donation from the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation and gifts from nearly 50 people associated with the show, including stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch; executive producers Bill Prady and Steven Molaro; and members of the crew.

The first 20 scholars will be announced on the set of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ this autumn. Each year in perpetuity, 5 additional scholars will be chosen.

Scholarships will be awarded to low-income students who have earned admission to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), based on academic merit but need additional support to bridge the gap between typical levels of financial aid and the cost of attendance.

“At UCLA, we pride ourselves on providing opportunities for students from all economic backgrounds. UCLA attracts the very best students from around the world, and admission is very competitive,” said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block.

“We are grateful for The Big Bang Theory Scholarship Endowment, whose contributors agree with us that economic standing should not hinder a deserving student’s shot at a degree from a university of UCLA’s caliber.”

Chuck Lorre, the show’s co-creator and executive producer, said: “we have all been given a gift with ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ a show that’s not only based in the scientific community, but also enthusiastically supported by that same community. This is our opportunity to give back.”

“In that spirit, our Big Bang family has made a meaningful contribution, and together we’ll share in the support of these future scholars, scientists and leaders.”

The new scholarship is not UCLA’s only connection to the show: Mayim Bialik, the Emmy-nominated actress who portrays Amy Farrah Fowler, earned a doctorate in neuroscience as well as a bachelor’s degree from the university, and the program’s science consultant is David Saltzberg, a UCLA professor of physics and astronomy.