$65 million donation by Helen Izzi and Francis Schilling sustains major STEM initiative and provides continued transformative backing for university’s future science and technology leaders
The University of Rhode Island’s Schilling Scholars Program continues to shine as a flagship initiative, empowering the next generation of STEM innovators with transformative support.
Launched thanks to a historic $65 million gift—the largest in URI history—the program continues to be vibrant and impactful.
This extraordinary endowment reflects the visionary generosity and lifelong commitment to education of Helen Izzi Schilling and her husband, Francis Schilling.
Helen, a proud Rhode Island native and URI graduate with honors in nutrition, built a distinguished career as a registered dietitian, professor, and consultant—dedicating herself to helping others through science and service.
Francis, a successful executive at General Electric and later founder of a nuclear cardiology company, shared her passion for innovation and opportunity.
Together, through their thoughtful estate planning, they created a lasting legacy that invests in talented students they never met, believing deeply in URI’s power to transform lives and futures.
High-achieving undergraduates in STEM fields receive endowed awards of up to $20,000 per year for four years, stacked on top of other merit scholarships.
Scholars also enjoy a $1,000 annual book stipend, a $3,000 award for enriching experiences like winter J-Term or summer global travel, personalized mentorship, dedicated academic advising, and robust leadership development opportunities.
Exciting recent highlights include: the inaugural cohort of 26 Schilling Scholars—hailing from 13 states, pursuing 19 unique majors across 6 academic colleges—continues to thrive in their studies after joining URI in fall 2025.
These talented students exemplify the program’s success in attracting diverse, top-tier talent.
As of early February 2026, URI’s admissions team is actively reviewing applications and issuing notifications for the fall 2026 cohort of top scholarships, including the Schilling Scholars Program alongside the Ryan and Verrecchia awards. Priority consideration went to those with complete applications by December 1, keeping the momentum strong for incoming STEM leaders.
On February 13, 2026, URI’s Board of Trustees approved the tuition and financial aid plan for the 2026–27 academic year, featuring a record-breaking financial aid budget exceeding $158 million.
The plan explicitly highlights the Schilling Scholars Program as a key component in expanding access, complementing other merit awards, and ensuring URI remains both affordable and excellent amid modest tuition adjustments.
Frequently showcased in URI’s official channels and admissions materials, the program stands as a lasting legacy of innovation, opportunity, and profound generosity.
With URI boasting strong graduate outcomes—around 90% of recent alumni employed or pursuing advanced education within six months—the Schilling Scholars are poised to drive breakthroughs in science, technology, engineering, and math for years to come.
This enduring commitment to excellence continues to inspire students and strengthen Rhode Island’s future!