Welcome to the 2024 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 15 designated Beckman faculty research mentors (listed below).
 
​​The amount of funding per student is approximately $26,000 with the stipulation that each awardee MUST work two full-time summers and one part-time academic year.  The award for each student is broken down as follows:
  • $6,800 stipend per summer (2 summers, total $13,600).
  • $4,600 stipend for the academic year.
  • $2,800 travel and supplies
  • $5,000 mentor stipend for supplies, publication fees, travel etc.  

We will award 2 scholarships this year. 

Application
Because there are talented students have different degrees of research experience (ranging from none to a lot), there will be two  application tracks, Track 1 and Track 2.

Track 1 will be a Research Proposal track designed for students have already had significant research experience at Pomona or at other research institutions. Students will develop a specific research proposal to be carried out during their time as a Scholar.  This track allows us to continue supporting talented students with a proven research track record.  The application package submitted by the applicant will include 1) a one-page description of the proposed research project written by the student after consultation with the mentor, 2) a personal statement delineating past research experiences, future plans and how a Beckman Scholarship will enable those plans and 3) three letters of recommendation, 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.  Be sure to discuss this opportunity with your Beckman Mentor before starting the application process.  

Track 2 will be a Research Interest track designed for students who show strong promise for research (based on classroom lab experiences and/or minimal research experience), but who have not yet had the chance to work with a Beckman mentor.   The application package submitted by the applicant will include 1) an essay about a scientific topic that interests them to demonstrate their ability to think critically and deeply about science, 2) a personal statement delineating any past research experiences, future plans and how a Beckman Scholarship will enable those plans, 3) three letters of recommendation, two of which should be from science faculty, and 4) a list of 3 Beckman faculty members with whom they would like to work.  The referees will be asked to address the applicant’s scientific promise, creativity, professional integrity and analytic reasoning.  Note:  To help craft their research statement, track 2 applicants will be given a mini workshop and access to Beckman mentors for advice.  

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 Scholars. Scholars will be selected on the basis of four criteria: evaluation of scientific promise as determined by letters of recommendation, evidence of research potential as indicated by the intellectual merit of the written proposal (and prior research accomplishments for Track 1), 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.

Beckman Mentors
        Nicholas Ball                         Andre Cavalcante             Elizabeth Glater   
        Roberto Garza-Lopez           EJ Crane                           Karen Parfit
        Mal Johal                              Daniel Martinez                 Karl Johnson
        Jane Liu                                Tina Negritto                     Nina Karnovsky
        Matt Sazinsky                       Sara Olson                        Wallace Meyer                    

Application Deadline Friday March 4, 2024
​Research proposal presentations and interviews will be held during the 2nd or 3rd week of March.

Please send all application materials to Lauri Bell ([email protected])