Scholarships

MCDB is proud to announce the following scholarships designated for our department's undergraduates. Descriptions of the awards and information on how to apply are given below.

The Possibilities:

• The Thomas F. Marsico Scholarship

  This award is approximately $1,200 and open to freshman students who entered into the university the previous fall semester. Previous recipients may also reapply. The awarded funds will be available the following fall semester of the student's sophomore year. In order to be considered, you must be a full-time student (enrolled into 12 credit hours), have MCDB as your primary major and regularly enrolled into MCDB courses. To remain eligible for the award you must remain an MCDB major. This scholarship is highly competitive and past awardees generally have a cumulative GPA above 3.5 from their first semester. 

• The Chen Endowed Scholarship Fund

  This is a need-based scholarship of $5,000 to an MCDB undergraduate who graduated from a Colorado high school. Current second and third year students may apply. One scholarship is awarded per year and previous winners may apply again for a second award if eligible. The awarded funds will be available in the upcoming fall term.

• The Caplan Craig Endowed Scholarship

  This is an award for approximately $1,500 and also available in the following fall term. This scholarship is for MCDB majors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and is based on merit and financial need. Women and returning women are especially encouraged to apply, but gender is not considered a factor in the selection process. The scholarship may be renewed if a GPA of 3.2 or higher is maintained (award winner needs to reapply).

  There is also a Caplan Craig Scholarship to support undergraduate summer research. Nominations are solicited in May from the MCDB faculty for MCDB undergraduates currently pursuing independent research in their labs.

• The Nancy Guild PhD Endowed Scholarship

  This scholarship honors the outstanding contributions of Dr. Nancy Guild. One award for approximately $2,000 is available. This scholarship is for MCDB majors with in state residence and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The award is based on merit and financial need. Preference will be given to a student pursuing a career in the health science field. Scholarships will be awarded for one academic year and are renewable based on criteria established by the University.

• The Elfriede Reger Gamow Endowed Scholarship

  The award is for $5,000 and available to MCDB majors that have graduated from a Colorado high school. The award is based on merit and financial need. Women are encouraged to apply. Scholarships will be awarded for one academic year and are renewable based on criteria established by the University.

• The Laura Pollock Endowed Scholarship

  The award is for $4,000 and available to MCDB majors with a preference for those with a Biochemistry dual-major. The award is based on merit and financial need. Scholarships will be awarded for one academic year and are renewable based on criteria established by the University.

Application Process:

To apply for all MCDB Scholarships except the Beckman, use the CU Boulder scholarship application system.

Fill out the general application and you will be auto-matched with your eligible MCDB scholarships.

     Navigate to the “Student” tab in MyCUInfo.

     Click on the “Financial Aid” tab

     Click on "Apply for Scholarships"

     Complete the general application

     Complete any additional scholarship specific questions

If you have further questions, contact Dr. Christy Fillman.

Current MCDB scholarship awardees 2025-2026
 

Tricia Lee
The Thomas F. Marsico Scholarship

Not Pictured: Lizeth Lorea Martinez, The Chen Endowed Scholarship Fund
Leyla Jaramillo, The Caplan Craig Endowed Scholarship
Jordan Pan, The Thomas F. Marsico Scholarship