Purpose and Qualifications
Founded in 1997, the Beckman Scholars Program seeks to stimulate, encourage, and support research activities by exceptionally talented sophomores and juniors in the fields of chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or neural science. Applicants must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 and be a United States citizen or permanent resident. By summer 2007, they must have declared a major in one of the four areas listed above. Students will be named Beckman Scholars in the spring of their sophomore or junior year. Once selected, a student remains a Beckman Scholar as long as he/she continues to excel academically, is in good academic standing, and shows satisfactory progress in his/her research work.

The Faculty Mentor
Beckman Scholars' research activities are conducted under the guidance of faculty mentors. Apart from regular laboratory supervision, mentors will meet regularly with Scholars, monitor their research progress, and collaborate with Scholars in preparing papers for publication. In addition, the mentor will serve as the Scholar's academic advisor and help the Scholar draw on the broader resources of the University.

Research
The Scholar's faculty mentor must deem that the Scholar's research is of the highest caliber, producing results that are of publishable quality. This research shall be performed part-time (up to ten hours per week) during one academic year and full-time over the two summers (ten weeks each summer) before and after the academic year research experience.

Research Stipends and Support
Beckman Scholars will receive a $6,000 stipend to conduct research in summer 2008 and another $6,000 stipend for summer 2009. They will also receive a stipend of $4,000 ($2,000 each term) for their research during the 2008/2009 academic year. Beckman Scholars stipends may not exceed two summers and one academic year. In addition, there is an award of $3,300, administered by the Scholar's faculty mentor, to be used to provide funds for travel to scientific meetings and for research supplies. Thus the total amount each Beckman Scholar will receive is $19,300.

Description of the Program
In the first summer, Scholars will be introduced to the principles of laboratory research, become familiar with basic techniques and protocols, and work closely with mentors to develop their projects. Special seminars, discussion groups, and social events will be held over the summer to enhance scholarly interactions with faculty, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and other undergraduates. Over the course of the program, Scholars will receive additional training in sophisticated techniques in their areas. During the academic year, Scholars will attend departmental seminars, work with their mentors on their research, and prepare a research paper suitable for publication. The second summer will also provide a seminar series, discussion groups, and social events, culminating in a research forum during which the participants will present their experimental results in a formal setting to faculty and other students.

Beckman Scholars Annual Research Symposium
Each summer, Beckman Scholars from throughout the country gather for an Annual Research Symposium at the Beckman Center for National Academies of Sciences and Engineering in Irvine, California. The Symposium features scientific paper presentations by a selected group of Beckman Scholars, poster presentations, keynote presentations by prominent scientific figures, informal seminars on topics of special interest by leading scientists, and other formal and informal social activities. All Symposium-related travel, lodging, and other expenses for Beckman Scholars and faculty advisors are paid for by the Beckman Foundation.

Applications and Additional Information
Information and applications for the Beckman Scholars Program are available from Assistant Dean Ruth Shoemaker Wood, Room 909B Silver Center. The deadline for filing a complete application is 5:00 PM, Friday, February 29, 2008. The names of the applicants selected as Beckman Scholars for 2008/2009 will be announced by mid-April, 2008.

* This information is subject to revision pending any new guidelines from the Beckman Foundation.

 Back to Top