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Fellowships

Vassar College

Beckman Scholars Program

Vassar first year and sophomore students in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or neuroscience & behavior are invited to apply for a 15-month stipend to pursue independent research with a Vassar faculty mentor.

The Program

The Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation has selected Vassar College as a 2022 Beckman Scholars Program award recipient. The prestigious Beckman Scholars Program will provide robust faculty-mentored research experiences for a total of six exceptional undergraduate students in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Neuroscience & Behavior (2 per year for the next three years).  This program will provide students with generous stipends, robust mentorship, funding for supplies and conference travel, and an unprecedented opportunity at Vassar to pursue their research interests across two summers and a full academic year.

Research

Summers:

  • Beckman Scholars will carry out 10 weeks of full-time research with their faculty mentor for two consecutive summers (2022 and 2023)

Academic year:

  • During the academic year between summer research experiences (Fall 2022-Spring 2023), Beckman Scholars will spend at least 10 hours per week continuing their research project

Expectations and outcomes:

Working closely with their faculty mentors, Beckman Scholars will:

  • Develop plans and timelines for conference attendance, publications and postgraduate pursuits; Identify and access individualized technical assistance and guidance; present at local, regional, and national scientific meetings as well as Beckman’s Annual Symposium;
  • Pursue the publication of their research results in a scientific journal;
  • Receive individualized and strategic support for identifying and applying for relevant nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships as well as graduate school applications; and
  • Participate in specialized activities that support Scholars’ professional development and leadership skills such as URSI.
  • Have formal appraisal of progress at five and ten week marks in the summers and at the end of each semester during the academic year; and submit periodic reports along with a formal report to the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Beckman Scholars Program, students must:

  • Be a first year or sophomore majoring in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or neuroscience & behavior or firmly intend to declare one of these majors
  • Have an intention to pursue an advanced science degree or other scientific pursuits after Vassar
  • Be a full-time student in good academic standing at Vassar throughout the 15-month duration of the award
  • And be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have DACA status

Pre-applications are due January 31, 2022.  For more information go to Vassar’s Beckman Scholars program.