OVERVIEW
The Beckman Scholars Program supports outstanding UCLA undergraduate researchers who are majoring in 1) Chemistry, 2) Biochemistry, 3) Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics (MIMG), or 4) Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB). Beckman Scholars must complete two summers and three quarters of research with a UCLA Beckman Faculty and complete an honors or departmental thesis project. The Beckman Scholars Program is funded by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation.
ELIGIBILITY FOR 2023-2024
- Majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry, MCDB, or MIMG
- Must be conducting research with and nominated by one of the following UCLA Beckman Faculty:
- Dr. Peter Bradley (MIMG)
- Dr. Genhong Cheng (MIMG)
- Dr. Hilary Coller (MCDB)
- Dr. Kent Hill (MIMG)
- Dr. Richard Kaner (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- Dr. Carla Koehler (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- Dr. William Lowry (MCDB)
- Dr. Karen Lyons (MCDB)
- Dr. Hanna Mikkola (MCDB)
- Dr. Jeffrey H. Miller (MIMG)
- Dr. Margot Quinlan (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- Dr. Benjamin Schwartz (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- Dr. Alexander Spokoyny (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- Dr. Sarah Tolbert (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- Dr. Jorge Torres (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- Expected Graduation Date of Spring 2024 or later
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident status
- Committed to a career in science, and planning to enter a PhD, MD, or MD-PhD program following graduation
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Conduct the proposed research project for a minimum of ten hours per week during the 2023-2024 academic year
- Conduct the proposed research project for a minimum of forty hours per week for ten weeks during Summer 2023 and 2024
- Maintain full-time student status during the 2023-2024 academic year (enrolled in 12 units minimum each quarter)
- Enroll in a departmental 198 or 199 course for at least two quarters during the 2023-2024 academic year
- Complete an honors or departmental thesis project by the end of Summer 2024
- Participate in SPUR professional development seminars in Summer 2023
- Present at the SPUR symposium during Summer 2023 and 2024
- Present at the Undergraduate Research and Creativity Showcase in Spring 2024
- Attend the annual Beckman Regional Symposium in Summer 2023 and 2024, and present your research in 2024
- Submit a final report to the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation in Summer 2024
SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDING
Beckman Scholars will receive an academic scholarship totaling $18,200 (payment schedule below).
- $4,600 paid in three equal payments over the 2023-2024 academic year
- $6,800 paid in one payment for Summer 2023
- $6,800 paid in one payment for Summer 2024
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.
APPLICATION
The Beckman Scholars Program is invitation-only. Students are nominated in February by their Beckman Faculty Research Mentor and eligible nominees are invited to apply in March.
CONTACT
Alec Hernandez
Program Representative
beckmanscholars@college.ucla.edu