The Fund for Excellence provides critical support for the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at NC State University. Established in 1987 and funded with annual contributions, the fund provides vital resources for scholarships and fellowships, faculty recruitment, alumni communications, and development efforts to increase private support for the College. The Fund for Excellence annually provides scholarships for 30 students as part of the Dean's Scholarship Program, which awards merit-based scholarships to students in the College with outstanding academic credentials. As "donor unrestricted" support, the fund provides flexibility to respond to exciting opportunities, urgent needs and unexpected challenges.