The Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship is an esteemed award program established by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. This fellowship supports advanced research in chemical sciences and chemical instrumentation, aimed at fostering innovation and groundbreaking discoveries. The program is designed to transition postdoctoral scholars from mentored research to independent research careers in academia, industry, or governmental laboratories.
Applicants must be affiliated with a U.S. college, university, or institution that offers postdoctoral fellowships and holds a 501(c)(3) or similarly qualifying IRS designation. They must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients. Eligible candidates include current graduate students expected to complete a PhD in chemical sciences by May 1, 2025, or current postdoctoral researchers with a PhD in chemical sciences and no more than 18 months of postdoctoral research experience by the application due date.The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation was established in 1977 by Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, a prominent chemist and inventor, and his wife, Mabel. The foundation is dedicated to supporting scientific research and education, particularly in the fields of chemistry and life sciences. It funds various programs, including postdoctoral fellowships, research grants, and science education initiatives, aiming to advance knowledge and innovation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Countries: United States
- Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded in any subject offered by the chemical sciences departments at U.S. colleges, universities, or institutions.
- Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Institutional Requirements: Must be at a U.S. college, university, or institution that offers postdoctoral fellowships and holds a 501(c)(3) or similarly qualifying IRS designation.
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or hold DACA recipient status.
- Education Status:
- Current graduate students expected to complete a PhD in the chemical sciences by May 1, 2025.
- Current postdoctoral researchers with a granted/conferred PhD in the chemical sciences and no more than 18 months of cumulative postdoctoral research experience at the time of application due date.
- Research Focus: Must pursue postdoctoral training in an area of chemical sciences. Applications focused on bio-related research supported by traditional NIH mechanisms will not be considered.
- Mentorship: Must have identified a mentor in the chemical sciences at a qualified U.S. nonprofit college, university, or institution with appropriate laboratory facilities to support their postdoctoral research proposal.
Special Consideration: Applicants exceeding the 18-month eligibility window due to COVID-related access restrictions can contact the foundation to discuss eligibility status.
Sponsoring Mentor Criteria:
- Must have a PhD or MD/PhD.
- Full-time tenured or tenure-track with at least a 25% appointment in chemistry, chemical physics, chemical engineering, or materials chemistry.
- Active investigator in the applicant’s area of research.
- Can sponsor only one applicant per program year.
Ineligibility Conditions:
- Applicants with more than 18 months of postdoctoral experience or more than 3 years from their PhD at the time of application.
- Applicants submitting to both fellowship tracks in a single year.
- Visa holders.
- Government laboratories, such as NIH or federally funded national laboratories.
- Applicants without a completed PhD by May 1, 2025.
- Applicants with faculty appointments.
- Sponsoring mentors supporting more than one applicant for LOI submittal.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy:
The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation values diversity, equity, and inclusion in scientific progress. The foundation ensures a fair selection process by blinding reviewers to applicants’ personal and institutional information.
Application Process
Application Procedure:
- Letter of Intent (LOI): Submit a blinded research proposal.
- Full Application: Invited applicants based on LOI reviews.
The application portal is open from June to September. Check the online portal for exact deadlines. Award notifications are generally released in mid-March.
Program Guidelines and Application Guidance:
For proposal writing tips and additional information, refer to the Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship Additional Guidance Document.
