OVERVIEW
The Beckman Scholars Program at UCLA 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 15 months of research (Summer 2024 through Summer 2025) with a UCLA Beckman Faculty (listed below) and complete an honors or departmental thesis project under their supervision. The Beckman Scholars Program is a national grant program funded by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, and is invitation-only.
ELIGIBILITY FOR 2024-2025
- Majoring in:
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG)
- Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB)
- 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. 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 2025 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 research for a minimum of ten hours per week during Fall 2024, Winter 2025, and Spring 2025
- Conduct research for a minimum of forty hours per week for ten weeks during Summer 2024 & Summer 2025
- Enroll in a departmental 198 or 199 course with your Beckman Faculty Mentor for at least two quarters during the 2024-2025 academic year
- Complete an honors or departmental thesis by the end of Summer 2025
- Participate in UCLA’s Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) professional development seminars during Summer 2024
- Present at the SPUR Symposium during Summer 2024 and 2025
- Present at Undergraduate Research and Creativity Showcase during Spring 2025
- Attend the annual Beckman Regional Symposium in Summer 2024 and 2025, and present your research in 2025
- Submit a final report to the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation in Summer 2025
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 as well as graduate school application fees ($700 max).
APPLICATION
The Beckman Scholars Program is invitation-only. Students are nominated in February by their Beckman Faculty Mentor and eligible nominees are invited to apply in March.