Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem is built around a rare combination of strengths: global companies, research universities, innovation districts, manufacturing scale, logistics infrastructure, and a statewide network of partners working across human health, animal health, and plant science.

Now, a national scholarship program focused on advancing scientific talent is expanding into that ecosystem.

ARCS Foundation will host the ARCS National Scholar Award Inaugural Ceremony on September 2, 2026, at the Purdue University Memorial Union in West Lafayette, to introduce Indiana leaders to the ARCS National Scholar Award Program and its new partnership with Purdue University. The event will also give ARCS Foundation an opportunity to learn more about Indiana’s life sciences economy and the industry partners whose work is helping shape the future of health, research, technology, and manufacturing.

The Purdue partnership marks the first expansion of the ARCS National Scholar Award Program into Indiana. Through the agreement, ARCS will provide ongoing private, unrestricted funding for Purdue doctoral students conducting research in high impact and emerging technology fields. Initial support will focus on biomedical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering.

That connection matters for Indiana.

Across the state, life sciences companies and research institutions are advancing work in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, diagnostics, animal health, plant science, manufacturing, logistics, data, and next generation technologies. Purdue’s role in the ARCS National Scholar Award Program adds another point of connection between graduate research, industry need, and long-term talent development.

ARCS Foundation has supported scientific talent for more than 65 years by providing financial awards to academically outstanding U.S. citizens pursuing graduate degrees in science, engineering, math, technology, and medical research. The National Scholar Award Program was created to expand ARCS support into regions not currently served by ARCS chapters and to invest in scientific fields important to U.S. competitiveness.

For Indiana, the opportunity is both immediate and long term.

The event will introduce industry leaders to a national model for supporting doctoral scholars while giving ARCS Foundation a closer look at the companies, institutions, and innovation assets that make Indiana a leading life sciences state. It is also a chance to begin building the relationships needed to grow scholarship support in Indiana over time.

Private, unrestricted support gives scholars the flexibility to stay focused on research, pursue promising ideas, and continue work that may one day contribute to new discoveries, technologies, companies, and solutions. For industry partners, that kind of investment strengthens the research and talent pipeline that helps Indiana compete.

As ARCS Foundation begins its work in Indiana, BioCrossroads encourages life sciences leaders, employers, investors, and philanthropic partners to attend, learn more, and help connect the program to the broader ecosystem.

Indiana has the industry base. Purdue brings world-class research strength. ARCS brings a national model for investing in scientific talent. Together, they create a new opportunity to support the next generation of researchers whose work can help move Indiana’s life sciences economy forward.