On television,
Now real-life brainiacs at
With $4 million donated so far, the Big Bang Theory Scholarship Endowment will support undergraduates majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, officials announced Thursday.
Starting in the fall, 20 "Big Bang" scholars will be given grants of varying sizes, based on need and academic merit. Each year, five more UCLA students will be added to the program.
The endowment is being funded by
Warner Bros. Television, CBS and other corporate partners also contributed.
The show, which just finished its eighth season, is set in Pasadena, with plots involving graduate students and professors at
"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," Lorre said in a statement.
"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."
UCLA said the scholarship endowment was the campus' first to be created by the cast and crew of a television series.
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