SFSU’s Beckman Scholars Program
A scholarship is available for outstanding and dedicated undergraduate student researchers in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Biology (Junior/Senior level, US citizens or permanent residents only)
Applications for the 2020/21 academic year are due by email to the Office of Student Enrichment Opportunities (seo@sfsu.edu) on April 1, 2020.
The program starts on June 8, 2020.
The Beckman Scholars Program provides scholarships to advance the education, research training and personal development of outstanding students (Junior/Senior level) majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, and/or the biological sciences.
The selected Beckman Scholars will receive a $21,000 scholarship and must commit to conducting research part-time (10 hours per week) with one of the Beckman Scholars Mentors during the academic year and full time over two summers (10 weeks each summer).
Support begins in June prior to the Junior/Senior year and is as follows:
Summer Research 2020 – 10 weeks $ 6,800
Academic Year 2020-2021 $ 4,600
Summer Research 2021 – 10 weeks $ 6,800
Research supplies and travel allotment $ 2,800
Planned Program Activities:
Summer Research and professional advancement activities.
Academic Year Honors Colloquia Fall/Spring
Travel to a scientific meeting to share research results.
Research presentation at the Beckman Scholars Symposium, Summer 2020.
To apply for the scholarship, you need to:
Commit to conducting research for two summers and the full academic year; plan to pursue an advanced degree (preferably a Ph.D.); have a GPA ≥ 3.5; be a US citizen or permanent resident; and have excellent communication skills and leadership ambitions.
Please submit the information in items 1–4 below by email to the SEO Office (seo@sfsu.edu). The recommendation letters should be emailed directly to the SEO.
1) Completed “Beckman Scholars Student Profile” form.
2) "Statement of Purpose" (two pages) describing your career goals as well as your interests
and ambitions to conduct research, and/or your research experience and accomplishments.
3) Statement (one page) of Dr. Beckman’s contributions to science and their impacts.
4) “All Science Transcript Form” and unofficial copies of your transcript(s).
5) Three letters of recommendations emailed by the letter writer to the SEO office addressing:
- Your potential and desire for graduate study and for a science/biomedical science career.
- Your written and oral communication skills.
Contact Information: Professor Weiming Wu, TH 640, wuw@sfsu.edu, 415-338-1436
or
Student Enrichment Opportunities (SEO), SCI 200
San Francisco State University Phone: (415) 338-1305 1600 Holloway Ave Web: https://seo.sfsu.edu/ San Francisco, CA 94132 Email: seo@sfsu.edu
Beckman Scholars Program Application Deadline: April 1, 2020
Who heads the program? Prof. Weiming Wu, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
What are the goals of the program?
The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation provides scholarships that contribute significantly to advancing the education, research training, and personal development of select students in chemistry, biochemistry, and the biological and medical sciences. Beckman Scholars are expected to become future leaders in chemistry, biochemistry, and the biological and medical sciences. The scholarships are designed to help the scholars reach their fullest potential in their selected scientific disciplines.
How are funds distributed?
Support is limited to two summers and one academic year. It begins on June 10, 2019 prior to the Junior/Senior year and is distributed as follows.
Summer Research 2020 – 10 weeks $ 6,800
Academic year 2020-2021 $ 4,600
Summer Research 2021 – 10 weeks $ 6,800
Research supplies and travel allotment $ 2,800
$21,000
During the second summer of the funding period, all Beckman Scholars from schools throughout the country will meet for an Annual Beckman Scholars Research Symposium at the Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering in Irvine, California. A representative of the SFSU Beckman Faculty mentors will be invited to the Symposium. Travel costs to the symposium will be covered by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Candidates for the Beckman Scholars Program must be:
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents at the time of application.
Documentation of permanent residency status must be provided with the application. You are not eligible to apply if you have applied for permanent residency, but have not received your government documentation.
- enrolled as an undergraduate at SFSU at the Sophomore or Junior level, and
- commit to carrying out research during two summers and one entire academic year
- have a GPA of ≥ 3.5.
- willing to conduct research with one of the Beckman Scholars mentors
What must the application include?
1. Completed “Undergraduate Applicant Profile” form (available at http://seo.sfsu.edu/content/beckman-scholars-program).
2. "Statement of Purpose" (two pages) describing your
- career goals and interests.
- ambition to earn an advanced degree, preferably a Ph.D. degree.
- interest, ambitions, commitment, and potential to conduct research.
- research experience and accomplishments.
- leadership ambitions.
3. Statement (one page) of Dr. Beckman’s contributions to science and their impacts
4. Three letters of recommendations that address:
- Your potential and desire for graduate study and for a science/biomedical science career.
- Your written and oral communication skills
5. “All Science Transcript Form” and unofficial copies of your transcript(s).
How is the Beckman Scholar selected?
The Beckman Scholars will be screened by the Beckman Scholars Mentors committee and then selected by the Beckman Scholars Executive Committee.
The selection criteria include:
- quality of the application;
- commitment to and potential for conducting research;
- academic achievements;
- oral and written communication skills;
- commitment to future excellence in science; and leadership potential;
- commitment to earn an advanced degree, preferably a Ph.D. degree.
What are the expectations of the scholarship?
The Beckman Scholar must commit to engage in research carried out part-time (10 hours per week) during one academic year and full-time over two summers (10 weeks each summer) immediately before and after the academic year research experience. The research performed by the Scholar should lead to a publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Students will be named Beckman Scholars in the spring of their sophomore or junior years. A Beckman Scholar will retain the scholarship as long as he/she continues to excel academically, remains in good standing, and excels in research.
Who will attend the Annual Beckman Scholars Symposium?
All Beckman Scholars must commit to attending the Annual Beckman Scholars Symposium at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, which will feature:
- oral and poster presentations by the Beckman Scholars.
- keynote presentations by internationally prominent scientists, sometimes including a Nobel Prize winner.
- a series of informal concurrent seminars on topics of special interest by leading scientists from academia, industry and national government laboratories.
- memorabilia reflections about Dr. and Mrs. Arnold and Mabel Beckman.
- formal and informal social activities.
The Annual Symposium is a three evening, two day event. Beckman Foundation staff will coordinate all arrangements and reservations for the Symposium. All Symposium-related travel, lodging, and other expenses for Beckman Scholars and faculty advisors will be arranged by the Beckman Foundation.
Who do I contact if I have any further questions?
Please contact: Prof. Weiming Wu, TH 640, wuw@sfsu.edu, 415-338-1436 or
Student Enrichment Opportunities (SEO), SCI 200
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue,
San Francisco, CA 94132
Website: https://seo.sfsu.edu
Phone: (415) 338-1305
Email: seo@sfsu.edu
Required forms are available at the SEO Website http://seo.sfsu.edu/content/beckman-scholars-program