Beckman Scholars Program

OVERVIEW

The Beckman Scholars Program at UCLA supports outstanding UCLA undergraduate researchers who conduct research in UCLA Beckman Faculty labs and who major in one of the following concentrations of study: 1) Chemistry, 2) Biochemistry, 3) Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics (MIMG), or 4) Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB).

ELIGIBILITY FOR 2026-2027

• Majoring in:
  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG)
  • Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB)
• Will conduct research with one of the following UCLA Beckman Faculty:
  • Dr. Douglas Black (MIMG)
  • Dr. Peter Bradley (MIMG)
  • Dr. Hilary Coller (MCDB)
  • Dr. D’Juan Farmer (MCDB)
  • Dr. Andrew Goldstein (MCDB)
  • Dr. Kent Hill (MIMG)
  • Dr. Richard Kaner (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
  • Dr. William Lowry (MCDB)
  • Dr. Matthew Nava (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
  • Dr. Margot Quinlan (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
  • Dr. Danielle Schmitt (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
  • Dr. Sarah Tolbert (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
  • Dr. Jorge Torres (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
• Current or previous participation in the Academic Advancement Program (AAP), PEERS and/or other academic and research training programs at UCLA 
• Expected Graduation Date of Spring 2027 or later
• US Citizen, Permanent Resident, or DACA status
• Committed to a career in science, and planning to enter a PhD, MD, or MD-PhD program following graduation

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Conduct research for a minimum of ten hours per week during Fall 2026, Winter 2027, and Spring 2027
• Conduct research for a minimum of forty hours per week for ten weeks during Summer 2026 & Summer 2027
• Enroll in a departmental 198 or 199 course with your Beckman Faculty Mentor for at least two quarters during the 2026-2027 academic year
• Complete an honors or departmental thesis by the end of Summer 2027
• Participate in UCLA’s Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) professional development seminars during Summer 2026
• Present at the SPUR Symposium during Summer 2026 and 2027
• Present at Undergraduate Research and Creativity Showcase during Spring 2027
• Attend the annual Beckman Regional Symposium in Summer 2026 and 2027, and present your research in 2027
• Submit a final report to the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation in Summer 2027

SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDING

Beckman Scholars will receive an academic scholarship totaling $18,200 (payment schedule below).

• $6,800 paid in one payment for Summer 2026
• $4,600 paid in three equal payments over the 2026-2027 academic year
• $6,800 paid in one payment for Summer 2027

Scholarship payments are disbursed through the Financial Aid Office and will be applied to the Scholar’s BruinBill. Each Scholar will also receive an additional $2,800 fund to support travel and supplies related to their research project as well as graduate school application fees (up to $700 from their travel and supply fund).

APPLICATION

The UCLA Beckman Scholars Program opens its application cycle in February. Students are nominated by their Beckman Faculty Mentor or are invited to apply if they meet the eligibility criteria above. Application instructions are provided to eligible and nominated students through MyUCLA. Application materials are due in March and competitive applicants are invited to interview in April. Questions about eligibility should be directed to the Program Representative, Abby Warner, at awarner@college.ucla.edu. 

CONTACT

awarner@college.ucla.edu

Abby Warner
Program Representative