Welcome to the 2022 Beckman Scholars Application Page
The Beckman Scholarship application is open to Pomona College Sophomores and Juniors intending to major in Chemistry, Biology, Molecular Biology and Neuroscience. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. The selected Beckman Scholar(s) will work on a sustained, in-depth research project with one of 10 designated Beckman faculty research mentors. Be sure to discuss this opportunity with your Beckman Mentor before starting the application process. We hope to award 1 or 2 scholarships this year.
The application package submitted by the applicant will include a one-page description of the proposed research project written by the student after consultation with the mentor, and a personal statement delineating past research experiences, future plans and how a Beckman Scholarship will enable those plans. Three letters of recommendation will be required, two from science faculty, one of which must come from a faculty member who is familiar with the applicants research. The referees will be asked to address the applicant’s scientific promise, creativity, professional integrity and analytic reasoning.
Upon reviewing all applications, a short-list of candidates will be given at least one week notice to prepare a 10-minute oral presentation. The presentations will be scheduled in one session and will be evaluated by the entire group of Beckman mentors; mentors of individual applicants will recuse themselves during the respective interviews. Following each presentation, 15 minutes will be allowed for questions/comments. After students depart, the mentors will deliberate and select the Beckman Scholar. Scholars will be selected on the basis of four criteria: evaluation of scientific promise as determined by their academic performance and letters of recommendation, evidence of research potential as indicated by the intellectual merit of the written proposal and prior research accomplishments, evidence of leadership potential and genuine interest in science/medicine, and assessment of written and oral communication skills based on the written proposal and final interview.
The amount of funding per student is approximately $26,000, assuming he/she works two full-time summers and one part-time academic year. The award for each student is broken down as follows:
Application Deadline Friday, January 28, 2022.
Research proposal presentations and interviews will be held during the 2nd or 3rd week of February.
Please send all application materials to Lauri Bell (lauri.bell@pomona.edu)
The application package submitted by the applicant will include a one-page description of the proposed research project written by the student after consultation with the mentor, and a personal statement delineating past research experiences, future plans and how a Beckman Scholarship will enable those plans. Three letters of recommendation will be required, two from science faculty, one of which must come from a faculty member who is familiar with the applicants research. The referees will be asked to address the applicant’s scientific promise, creativity, professional integrity and analytic reasoning.
Upon reviewing all applications, a short-list of candidates will be given at least one week notice to prepare a 10-minute oral presentation. The presentations will be scheduled in one session and will be evaluated by the entire group of Beckman mentors; mentors of individual applicants will recuse themselves during the respective interviews. Following each presentation, 15 minutes will be allowed for questions/comments. After students depart, the mentors will deliberate and select the Beckman Scholar. Scholars will be selected on the basis of four criteria: evaluation of scientific promise as determined by their academic performance and letters of recommendation, evidence of research potential as indicated by the intellectual merit of the written proposal and prior research accomplishments, evidence of leadership potential and genuine interest in science/medicine, and assessment of written and oral communication skills based on the written proposal and final interview.
The amount of funding per student is approximately $26,000, assuming he/she works two full-time summers and one part-time academic year. The award for each student is broken down as follows:
- $6,800 funding per summer (2 summer, total $13,600).
- $4,600 funding for the academic year.
- $2,800 travel and supplies
- $5,000 mentor stipend for supplies, publication fees, travel etc.
Application Deadline Friday, January 28, 2022.
Research proposal presentations and interviews will be held during the 2nd or 3rd week of February.
Please send all application materials to Lauri Bell (lauri.bell@pomona.edu)
