Prospective scholars must apply with one of thirteen internally selected UDC Beckman Scholars Program mentors.

In addition, a prospective scholar must:

• Be a full-time student and a declared science major.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be a freshman, sophomore, or junior.
• Commit to an independent research project that will last two summer semesters and the entire academic year in between.

Show interest in and passion for scientific research and leadership, and in pursuit of PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or other scientific pursuits.

Scholars will receive support for two summers and one academic year:

Chapman BSP will tailor a deep, meaningful and sustained research and professional development experience in partnership with the Scholars and their BSP Faculty Mentor.

• Student Stipend: $18,200
• Student Travel: $2,800
• Faculty Mentor Stipend: $5000 to support research expenses for their scholar, travel, and publication fees

Beckman Scholars will be invited to attend the annual Beckman Symposium in at least one of the two summers of their award term. The symposium typically takes place in August in Irvine, California.

Advanced instrumentation training in state-of-the-art research facilities.

High-impact professional development activities include networking with science professionals, peer research mentoring, literature discussion and science communication.

Support for fellowship and graduate program applications.

Student Stipend

$18,200 will be distributed as follows:

• First Summer – $6,800
• Academic Year – $4,600
• Second Summer – $6,800
• Student Scientific Supply and Travel – $2,800 (distributed as needed to support current research activities)

Mentor Stipend

$5,000 will be distributed as needed during the associated Scholar’s award term to support the following, but not limited to:

• Scholar Mentorship Plan (SMP)
• Mentor Travel – to support attendance with Scholar at outside scientific symposia
• Scientific Supplies – related to the Scholar’s research
• Publication fees – for publishing in undergraduate and peer-reviewed publications related to the Scholar’s research

If selected, a commitment to work in the student-selected research mentor’s laboratory for 15 consecutive months:

• Summer 1: full-time (40 hours per week)
• One academic year: part-time (ten hours per week)
• Summer 2: full-time (40 hours per week)

Beckman scholars are expected to conduct independent research suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Attendance and the presentation of your research at the Beckman Symposium, if invited.

Participate in high-impact professional development activities.

Participate in career exploration seminars to gain experience communicating research to a broad audience and motivate other students to engage in research.

Beckman Scholars are expected to demonstrate exemplary scientific and academic ethics and a deep sense of duty as a leader in their local and global community.

Please attend the 2024 information session. Dr. Xueqing Song will provide a UDC Beckman Scholars Program overview and detail the application process. Please email xsong@udc.edu with any questions.

Application deadline: March 12, 2024, at 6 p.m. EST.

Required from Applicants

UDC Beckman Scholar Application Form

Research Interest and Eligibility: The form will ask for declared major, U.S. citizen or permanent resident status, selected BSP faculty mentor from the list of approved mentors, research area, and career goal statement. Students should also be ready to commit to a research project that will last two summer semesters and the entire academic year in between. As such, applicants currently need to be a freshman, sophomore, or junior.

The applicant must upload the following information in separate PDF files with the filename required in the parenthesis using the Google Form.

Curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum): The CV should include research and work experience, awards, extracurricular activities. (Last_Name_BSP2024_CV.pdf)

Unofficial copy of applicant’s academic transcript: Academic information must include full-time student status, coursework. (Last_Name_BSP2024_Transcript.pdf)

Research proposal: NSF fellowship format research proposal (2 pages). (Last_Name_BSP2024_Proposal.pdf)

Short essay: Students will be given “The Legacy of Arnold O. Beckman” (page 9 of Terms and Conditions) to read and asked to write a 250-word essay explaining which one of Dr. Beckman’s seven rules they would embody as a UDC Beckman Scholar. (Last_Name_BSP2024_Essay.pdf)

Required from Mentor: letter(s) of support: Two faculty letters of recommendation: one from the identified Mentor; one from a science faculty member or previous research mentor who can attest to the student’s academic and leadership potential. These two recommendation letters should be emailed as a PDF to xsong@udc.edu.  Check the box to indicate that you have notified your recommenders. Faculty should submit the letters of support as a PDF to xsong@udc.edu