St. Olaf College was awarded a grant from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation to support students doing undergraduate research in biology and chemistry. We are one of only 10 institutions nationally who received funding. This is a very prestigious, career-enhancing opportunity for the 2-3 students who are selected as Beckman Scholars.
In addition to funding for summer research for two consecutive summers, the award includes academic year funding for 10 hours/week, money for supplies, and travel funding. Faculty mentors for this program are:
Doug Beussman, chemistry Eric Cole, biology Steve Freedberg, biology Laura Listenberger, biology/chemistry John Schade, biology/environmental studies Jeff Schwinefus, chemistry Charles Umbanhowar, biologySelected students must:
- be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.
- commit to undergraduate research during the summers of 2014 and 2015 and 10 hours/week during the two semesters of the 2014-15 academic year. The ideal candidate is a current sophomore who will spend the summers before their junior and senior years doing research on campus.
- submit a research progress report at the end of each summer’s program.
- travel to the annual symposium for the Beckman Scholars Program and the Beckman Young Investigators. The conference is held in late July at the Beckman Center of the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering in Irvine, California. Expenses for attending the symposium are covered.
To apply:
Phase One: By Friday, November 22, 2013 – Submit a Beckman Application Form that includes a brief (one page) research proposal for a project you would like to undertake if selected as a Beckman Scholar. We will arrange for unofficial St. Olaf transcripts for applicants. The proposal should be written for an audience of faculty from a variety of scientific disciplines. The Beckman Advisory Panel will review Phase One applications, and approximately four will be selected to proceed to Phase Two. Students selected to compete in the second phase will be notified by November 27.
Phase Two: Students selected for Phase Two will prepare a revised proposal in consultation with the proposed faculty mentor, give a short (~10 minute) presentation to the Beckman Advisory Panel, and respond to questions from the panel in an interview format. Revised proposals are due Friday, December 6, 2013. Interviews and presentations will take place the week of December 9, 2013.
Questions? Contact Mary Walczak (walczak@stolaf.edu), Director, Collaborative Research and Inquiry Program (CURI).