The purpose of the Beckman Scholars Program is to help stimulate, encourage, and support research activities by talented, full-time undergraduate students who are pursuing their studies at accredited four-year U.S. colleges and universities. 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 science 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. The continuity of the research experience is important to the Foundation, and alternatives to this “summer – academic year – summer” schedule will not be considered.

Students will be named as Beckman Scholars in the spring of either their freshman, sophomore, or junior year at their college or university. Once selected to be a Beckman Scholar, a student will retain the award for 15 consecutive months, if the student continues to excel academically and continues to perform research work within their mentor’s lab. Beckman Scholar funds provided to any one student may not exceed two summers and one academic year. Beckman Scholar’s may use their second summer funds during the summer following graduation.

UD White Paper Deadline: 04/14/2025
Application Deadline: 06/13/2025, 5:00 PM PT

Link to FOA Here: 2026 Beckman Scholars Program

Mentor Eligibility: 

• Be an assistant professor, associate professor, or professor in a science department such as biology, chemistry, the biological and medical sciences, or some interdisciplinary combination of these subjects.
• Actively support undergraduate research.
• Must provide continuous mentorship over the 15-month Scholar award term.

Scholar Eligibility:

• Undergraduate students must be pursuing a degree in chemistry, biochemistry, the biological and medical sciences, or some interdisciplinary combination of these subjects.
• Undergraduate students with unique pathways to studies in STEM are encouraged.
• Must commit to 15-months of continuous research at the college or university (summer, academic year, summer).
• Must be a full-time undergraduate student throughout the duration of the award and 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.
• Have a stated interest to pursue and communicate scientific research, such as through an advanced degree in science or engineering (e.g., PhD, MD or MD/PhD), or other STEM pursuits.

Institutional Limit: Each institution may submit one application for consideration for an award.

Application Information: Applicants must submit the following (applications not adhering to this requirement will be returned without review.):

1. Lead PI's CV
2. List of proposed mentors (minimum of 8, maximum of 15) and their departments
3. A summary description (up to 2 pages) of the proposed program including:

• methods that will be used to recruit and select Scholars
• planned activities that will enhance the Scholars' professional development, communication skills, and leadership skills
• the Mentor recruitment and selection process
• proposed training for Mentors to support a diverse groups students toward their interests in STEM education

Merit Review Criteria: Submissions will be reviewed based on the Review Criteria detailed in the solicitation.