The 2024 Davis-Bahcall Scholars include: (L-R) Colby Routh, Beck Bruch, Nicolette Dame, Huixin Zhang, James Roth, Mackenzie Hollenbeck, Jing Yan, and Ashley Tieszen - standing on green grass outside dressed up for their presentations.
Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program
Here’s what you’ll need to apply.
A short essay, resume, transcripts, and an instructor to recommend you. Application deadline is January 17, 2025
Application links with be available here on November 13, 2024.
Science curious students who are willing to ask questions, engage with new concepts and connect with other students and mentors should apply for the all-expense-paid Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program at SURF.
Who Can Apply for the Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program
- Current high school seniors and college freshmen are eligible.
- Applicants must have attended high school in South Dakota or be a freshman at a South Dakota institute of higher learning.
The 2025 Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program will run from June 15, 2025, through July 13, 2025 (Final itinerary is subject to change).
- Applications open in November
Application deadline Friday, January 17, 2025.
Scholars excel in STEM careers
Two former Davis-Bahcall scholars reflect on the value of the scholar program in inspiring success in their STEM careers today.
"The Davis-Bahcall Program offered an unparalleled glimpse into the scientific research community and industry. Without the opportunity to peer beyond what an undergraduate degree can truly do, it is extremely difficult for students to have enough information to feel confident in pursuing a career."
Davis-Bahcall Scholars explore laboratory spaces where they learn about world leading science experiments, such as investigating dark matter and neutrinos. Students also discover immediately applicable disciplines including engineering product solutions, animal medicine and agricultural research.
The program closes out with Scholars taking a deeper dive into a subject of their choosing for a final presentation.
Are you curious about where a career in STEM can take you?
This program is designed to help students who are considering STEM fields develop an understanding of where their passion for science, technology, engineering and math can take them. The program demystifies STEM by showing students what professionals do every day in science, engineering and other STEM fields.
A common denominator for Davis-Bahcall Scholars is a shared passion for STEM. Through social gatherings and peer-to-peer work, students create lasting connections.
Davis Bahcall scholars also gain mentors through in-depth conversations with research professionals, industry leaders and professors who propel research forward.
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The 2024 Davis-Bahcall Scholars include: (L-R) Colby Routh, Beck Bruch, Nicolette Dame, Huixin Zhang, James Roth, Mackenzie Hollenbeck, Jing Yan, and Ashley Tieszen - standing on green grass outside dressed up for their presentations.
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The 2021 Davis-Bahcall Scholars on the 4850 Level of Sanford Underground Research Facility.
Photo courtesy Davis-Bahcall Facebook group
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The 2022 Davis-Bahcall Scholars from left to right: Liam Thomassen, Preston Drew, Stirling Wallace, Kaitlyn Gehrels, Ellie Breidenbach, Bailey May, Katie Pedneau, and Brody Leisinger
Photo by Adam Gomez -
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Davis-Bahcall Scholars picture from left-to-right top-to-bottom: Maycee Wieczorek, Amy Pham, Abby Woodard, Samuel Schleich, Curtis Petersen, Nolan Maher, Grayson Nelson, Ann Madson.
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The 2024 Davis-Bahcall Scholars include: Mackenzie Hollenbeck, Huixin Zhang, Nicolette Dame, James Roth, Ashley Tiezen, Beck Bruch, Colby Routh, and Jing Yan.
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Learn through travel
Davis-Bahcall scholars spend 4-weeks exploring STEM in the Black Hills, across the Midwest, and abroad. They also visit national monuments, landmarks of cultural significance and more than a few pizzerias. And remember, all expenses are covered by the program!
Each year, students chronicle their adventures on the Davis-Bahcall Scholars Facebook page.
Discovery and Collaboration
The Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program takes its name from two scientists whose collaborative efforts resulted in a major discovery: theorist, Dr. Raymond Davis, and experimentalist, Dr. John Bahcall.
Bahcall and Davis worked in partnership to build a solar neutrino experiment at the 4850 level of the former Homestake Gold Mine. For almost 30 years, data was collected and studied which led to a share of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2002 for Dr. Raymond Davis.
It’s this spirit of discovery and collaboration that drives the program and encourages students to find the scientist, engineer or researcher within.
Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program Sponsors
Since 2009, 156 students have participated in the Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program at SURF. What began as a physics-oriented learning experiences has evolved to include students from a variety of STEM interests.
First PREMIER Bank and the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority are major sponsors of the program. The program is also supported by the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and Black Hills State University.
