Beckman Scholars Program

OVERVIEW

The College of Sciences invites applications from undergraduates in biochemistry, biology, chemistry or neuroscience, or apply to the Georgia Tech Beckman Scholars Program. Supported by a grant from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, the scholarship provides $18,200 stipends, research supplies and travel funds for top undergraduates to complete an intensive 15-month research experience with a Georgia Tech mentor. Link to Scholarhip application.

SCHEDULE OF RESEARCH

Research in the Beckman Scholars Program is conducted on one of the following schedules:

    summer 2019  +  academic year 2019-20  +  summer 2020
                                           -or-
    summer 2020  +  academic year 2020-21  +  summer 2021
                                           -or-
    summer 2021  +  academic year 2021-22  +  summer 2022

• Research over the two summers is full time - ten 40-hour weeks each summer.
• Research during the academic year is part-time - ten hours per week, for two semesters.
• During the first summer, scholars will participate in activities of an NSF-sponsored REU program.
• Research must be conducted continuously over a 15-month period. This means that a student who embarks on research in this program cannot participate, for example, in a study abroad programs.
• Students may start the program as early as the summer after the first-year, and as late as the summer at the end of the junior year. However, in the latter case, if the student graduates in the spring semester, he/she must complete the second summer of research immediately after they graduate (students will not register for the summer and do not pay tuition).

FUNDING

Students receive a stipend of $18,200; distributed as follows:

• First summer - $6,800
• Academic year - $4,600
• Second summer - $6,800

Students receive a scientific travel allowance of $2,800; distributed as reimbursement of expenses, subject to Georgia Tech travel policies. You are strongly encouraged to present your research at conferences, either as a poster or as an oral presentation.

The program also provides an allowance of $5,000 to support the following:

• Purchase of scientific supplies related to the scholar’s research
• Publication fees for publishing the scholar’s research
• Mentor travel to support attendance with the scholar at scientific conferences

SCHOLAR ELIGIBILITY

• Scholars must be registered in one of the following majors: biochemistry, biology, chemistry and neuroscience majors.
• Scholars must be full-time students in fall and spring semesters, and remain in good academic standing (min. 3.5 GPA), and intend to pursue an advanced science degree or other scientific pursuits.
• Beckman Scholars must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.
• Scholars will pursue their independent research project with a Beckman Scholars Program Faculty Mentor who is to remain as the Mentor for the entire duration of the Scholar’s term. The mentors for the program are:

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Publication of research in peer-reviewed journal articles, and presentation at professional conferences, are expected.
Travel funds are available to support travel to 2 or 3 conferences.

Beckman Symposium. Each Scholar may be invited to attend the annual Beckman Symposium in Irvine, CA, in each of the two summers of their award term. Travel and hotel accommodations are provided separately by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. All second-summer scholars will be asked to present their research through poster presentation. Each year, several scholar speaking slots will be available during the symposium. One Mentor from the Faculty Mentor pool may also be invited to attend the Beckman Symposium each summer.

REPORTS

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation requires that final reports be submitted by October 15 after the second summer of research:

Scholar Reports
This report is submitted directly to the Foundation by each Beckman Scholar. It outlines the following:

• The institution’s recruitment and process of selection as a Beckman Scholar
• Research findings and discussion of other activities under this award
• The collaboration between the Scholar, Mentor, and Mentor’s lab
• The advantages of the Beckman Scholars Award
• Recommendations regarding improvements to the Beckman Scholars Program
• Career and/or education plans (specify name of graduate institution, if applicable)
• Contact information
• Scholar Value Statement: Describing Dr. Beckman’s contribution to science and the impact of his innovations as they relate to the Scholar, their research and new discoveries.

Mentor Reports

• Report from each Mentor outlining his/her involvement with the program, the scholar and the results of the Scholar Mentorship Plan.
• Mentor Value Statement: Describing Dr. Beckman’s contribution to science and the impact of his innovations as they relate to the Mentor, their research and new discoveries.

THE LEGACY OF ARNOLD O. BEACKMAN

“I have done more for science in general by making instruments available for thousands to use than what I could do in my laboratory by myself.”

- Arnold O. Beckman, Ph.D.

Dr. Beckman always considered the greater good, whether it was through his scientific innovations, business dealings or personal relationships. The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation holds steadfast to the directives of Dr. Beckman and his wife Mabel, his values, and the mission of the Foundation. Dr. Beckman believed strongly in reinvesting in science and research, supporting the up and coming scientists and looking for the future “Arnold Beckmans” of the world. In turn, the Foundation tasks each recipient of an Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation award to employ a similar “pay it forward” philosophy by promoting the legacy of Dr. Beckman, his values and his scientific contributions through their interactions in the scientific community and the world. Award recipients fulfill this task by serving as Dr. Arnold O. Beckman’s living legacy and, as a means of continuing Dr. Beckman’s mission for the sciences, recipients with demonstrated expertise in their area of research are called upon to serve on review committees and panels, lending their scientific expertise to the further development and evolution of the Programs supported by the Foundation.

Rules for Success - Arnold O. Beckman, Ph.D.
Absolute integrity at all times.
There is no satisfactory substitute for excellence.
Everything in moderation…including moderation itself.
Only by taking risks do you make progress.
Never do anything to harm others.
Never do anything for which you will be ashamed later.
Don’t take yourself too seriously.

APPLY NOW

Link to Scholarhip application