Beckman Scholars Program

Please see the full solicitation for complete information about the funding opportunity. Below is a summary assembled by the Research & Innovation Office (RIO).

Program Summary

The purpose of the Beckman Scholars Program is to help stimulate, encourage, and support research activities by exceptionally talented, full-time undergraduate students who are pursuing their studies at accredited four-year colleges and universities located in the United States of America. These research activities shall be centered in either chemistry, biochemistry, the biological and medical sciences, or some interdisciplinary combination of these subjects. Candidates for the Beckman Scholars Award must be full-time students throughout the duration of the award.

The research activities performed by Beckman Scholars shall be conducted under the guidance of a full-time, approved faculty member at the college or university receiving an award. Research activities must be performed part-time (ten hours per week) during one academic year, and full-time over two summers (ten 40-hour weeks each summer) immediately before and after the academic year research experience.  

Students will be named as Beckman Scholars in the spring of their freshman through junior years at their university or college. Once selected to be a Beckman Scholar, a student will retain the award for 15 months, as long as the student continues to excel academically, and the student’s research work shows satisfactory progress. Beckman Scholar funds provided to any one student may not exceed two summers and one academic year. Beckman Scholar summer funds may extend through the summer following graduation.

Each institutional Beckman Scholar Award will fund a total of six Beckman Scholars (with funding for student and mentor stipends, travel funds and research supplies) extending over two summers and one academic year. Awardee institutions will name two Scholars in each year of the three-year institutional award term.

Deadlines

CU Internal Deadline: 11:59pm MT April 8, 2024

Sponsor Proposal Deadline: 6:00pm MT June 14, 2024

Internal Application Requirements (all in PDF format)

  • PI Curriculum Vitae / Resume
  • Project Overview (3 pages maximum): The overview should describe: 1) a scholar recruitment and selection process including research experience and how merit, diversity, equity and inclusion will be given equal emphasis in scholar selections; 2) a mentor recruitment and selection process prioritizing how mentors will facilitate the intellectual development of scholars, a safe scholar environment within the lab, and use of novel teaching or mentoring methods to support success for scholars from all backgrounds.

To access the online application, visit: https://cuboulderovcr.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/6968/home

Eligibility

For the internal competition, PIs will be expected to administer an internal process as described in the “Project Overview” detailed in the Application Requirements section.

The research activities performed by Beckman Scholars shall be conducted under the guidance of a full-time, approved faculty member at the college or university receiving an award.

Beckman Scholar candidates must adhere to the following requirements:

  • Undergraduate student: chemistry, biochemistry, the biological and medical sciences or some interdisciplinary combination of these subjects.
  • Must be a full-time student throughout duration of award.
  • Must maintain good academic standing.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident of the United States or its possessions, or hold DACA recipient status.
  • Articulate, well spoken.
  • Strong writing skills.
  • In pursuit of PhD, MD, MD/PhD; or other scientific pursuits.

Limited Submission Guidelines

Each institution may submit one application.

Award Information and Duration

Each Institutional Award spans a three-year period, with 2 student/mentor teams selected by the institution each year. The amount of funding for the Beckman Scholars Program is $26,000; $21,000 specifically for each Scholar and $5,000 for each Scholar Mentor.