Awards and Scholarships

Each year, Hach Foundation Scholarships are awarded to as many as two Chemistry majors who intend to pursue careers in K-12 teaching. The Hach Foundation mission is “to foster and support chemistry education, and to make evident the interdependence between chemistry education and the public.” Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The annual award amount is $6,000.

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The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is a distinguished undergraduate scholarship initiative that provides up to $7,500 per year for college sophomores and juniors in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering pursuing careers in research. This highly prestigious and competitive award is granted to up to 300 students nationwide.

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A Clarkston Scholar is a highly-driven student who excels in the classroom, has a focused interest and passion for the Life Sciences industry, and intends to enter the Life Sciences industry upon graduation. The Clarkston Scholars Program will provide one sophomore attending a four-year college/university undergraduate program in Pennsylvania, majoring in a Life Sciences related field of study, a $10,000 scholarship award ($5,000 per year for junior and senior year). In addition, the Clarkston Scholar will receive exposure to the Life Sciences industry through mentoring with Clarkston Consulting and participation in Life Sciences Pennsylvania (LSPA) events over the course of the two-year scholarship award period. The recipient will be awarded the scholarship at the LSPA Annual Dinner, which will take place on March 11, 2020. Learn more!

Founded by a 1953 Act of Parliament, Marshall Scholarships offer 1 – 3 years of post-graduate study to young Americans to a pursue a graduate degree in the United Kingdom in almost any field of study. Marshall Scholars receive funding for graduate study, including tuition, stipend and travel expenses. 

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Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from outside the U.K. to study at the University of Cambridge. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a person’s intellectual ability, leadership capacity and desire to use their knowledge to contribute to society throughout the world by providing service to their communities and applying their talents and knowledge to improve the lives of others. The Scholarship covers one to three years of full-time, residential graduate study at Cambridge University, including tuition, stipend, and travel expenses. Disclaimer: The proposed graduate study cannot be in neuroscience or for professional degrees that emphasize skills and practical analysis such as business, law, public health, public policy, and social work.

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The Fulbright U.S. Student Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is now the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. Applicants for study/research awards either design their own projects, typically working with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education, or enroll in one year of graduate degree study.

The study/research awards are available in approximately 140 countries. Program requirements vary by country, so the first step is to familiarize yourself with the program summary for the host country. You can also see which countries offer graduate degree study, or field specific awards on the study/research award page.

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The Rhodes Trust offers the “oldest and most celebrated” international postgraduate awards for students to study at the University of Oxford.  Rhodes Scholars are young leaders of outstanding character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others, and show promise of becoming value-driven leaders for the world’s future.

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The ACS Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students majoring in undergraduate chemistry-related disciplines, and are also intending to pursue careers in chemistry-related fields. Selected recipients are awarded up to $5,000* per academic year. To date, over 3,000 students have received a funding from the ACS Scholars Program.

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The ACS Inorganic Division Inorganic Chemistry award was established to recognize outstanding academic achievement in inorganic chemistry and to encourage further study in the field

The ACS Physical Chemistry Division award was established to recognize outstanding academic achievement in physical chemistry and to encourage further study in the field.

The ACS Analytical Division award was established to recognize outstanding academic achievement in analytical chemistry and to encourage further study in the field.

The ACS Division of Organic Chemistry is pleased to sponsor an Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry that is intended to recognize senior students who display a significant aptitude for organic chemistry and to encourage further interest in the field.

The ACS Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students majoring in undergraduate chemistry-related disciplines, and are also intending to pursue careers in chemistry-related fields. Selected recipients are awarded up to $5,000* per academic year. To date, over 3,000 students have received a funding from the ACS Scholars Program.

Are you graduating this year? If you are, you're eligible for three years of free ACS membership.

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The Priscilla Carney Jones Scholarship was established by Paul R. Jones, in memory of his wife, to provide scholarships for female undergraduate majors in chemistry or related disciplines who are beginning their junior or senior years of study. The scholarship is a one-time award on the basis of both need and scholarship. The award amount is subject to available funding, but will be a minimum of $1,500. The award is sent directly to the recipient’s financial aid office and may be used for tuition, books, and lab fees. On-and-off campus housing, transportation, and other personal fees (e.g., sorority dues) may not be paid from this award.

The ACS Women Chemists Committee (WCC) and Eli Lilly and Company sponsor a program to provide funding for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral female chemists to travel to meetings to present the results of their research. Through this program, WCC and Eli Lilly and Company continue to increase the participation of women in the chemical sciences.

Application

Application directions: To apply, please submit an unofficial transcript and a one-page summary of your summer research plans to Stacy Englert (sle30@psu.edu) by March 15.

Eligibility:The Benkovic Award provides financial support for undergraduates who are conducting outstanding unpaid summer research on campus under the direction of a faculty member. Only undergraduates who are conducting research in chemistry at University Park during the summer of 2019 are eligible to apply.

The John and Elizabeth Holmes Teas Scholarship is a scholarship that has been established to assist chemistry majors with tuition costs. Students are selected using the following criteria: outstanding academic achievement, ability, and chemistry interest.

The Chemistry Undergraduate Advising and Awards Committee will review all applications and select up to three (3) students as the upcoming academic year’s recipients.  Renewal awards will be granted if a recipient’s academic and professional performance remains at or above their level at the time of selection.

Qualifications for application: you must be a chemistry major (or intended),  have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, are a rising sophomore or a rising senior.

How to apply: To apply, please forward the following materials to Dr. Dan Sykes via e-mail (dgs12@psu.edu)  by 12:00 PM (noon) April 30, 2021: a personal statement (including a reflection on your academic progress and a discussion of career goals), an unofficial transcript, and a letter of recommendation from a chemistry faculty member.

This award was created in memory of Peter Breen to recognize a Penn State undergraduate Chemistry major who has achieved excellence in academics and research. Peter was an undergraduate Chemistry major and a Schreyer Honors College student. He exemplified excellence both academics and in research. Peter passed away in 2014. The Breen family has generously established this award in his memory.

Nomination: By research Faculty Member

Eligibility: It is given out yearly to a junior or senior Chemistry major based on course work and research accomplishments.

The Penn State Center of Excellence in Industrial Biotechnology is offering scholarship support for students interested in the broad area of industrial biotechnology, ranging from biopharmaceutical manufacturing and food biotechnology, to the production of bio-based chemicals. Two levels of scholarships are available: 

CSL Behring Innovation Scholarship $2,000 

CSL Behring Biotechnology Scholarship $1,000 

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Undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in the Department of Chemistry who have achieved superior academic records or who manifest promise of outstanding academic success, and who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Department of Chemistry. Preference shall be given to students transferring to University Park from a Penn State Commonwealth campus.

The Excellence in Service Award was created to acknowledge the contributions of undergraduate students in building the pillars of the department: academics, research, and service. The awardees are students who have dedicated themselves to their department, their profession, and their fellow students.  The award recognizes service as Learning Assistants, Teaching Assistants, and service in general.

All undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in the Eberly College of Science at Penn State University Park who have achieved superior academic records or who manifest promise of outstanding academic success and who are majoring in or planning to major in Chemistry, or successor degree program(s).

Chemistry majors enrolled/planning to enroll in the University, who have achieved superior academic records or manifest promise of outstanding academic success, and who have financial need. In the event no eligible recipient majoring in chemistry are available the scholarship may be awarded to the student enrolled in the College of Science who is otherwise eligible

All undergraduate students majoring in or planning to major in Chemistry, or successor degree program, in the Eberly College of Science, or successor academic unit, at The Pennsylvania State University who have achieved superior academic records or who manifest promise of outstanding academic success, and who have a demonstrated financial need.  Scholarships may be awarded to eligible students regardless of enrollment status so long as the recipient is in good academic standing and intends to continue their education in the Eberly College of Science at The Pennsylvania State University.

Superior academics, fulltime enrollment, major in Chemsitry, financial need

Full-time senior undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in the major area of Analytical Chemistry, College of Science, who have demonstrated outstanding activity in Analytical Chemistry along with superior overall academic performance.

Full-time students entering their senior year in the Chemistry Department who have achieved superior academic records and who have a proven financial need.

Full-time undergraduate/graduate students enrolled/planning to enroll in the physical sciences (astronomy, astrophysics, chemistry or physics); preference given to students involved in an NCAA sport, residents of PA, or from a financially-disadvantaged background 

Full-time undergraduate students enrolled/planning to enroll in the Department of Chemistry who have achieved superior academic records or who manifest promise of outstanding academic success.

Full-time undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in Chemistry who have achieved superior academic records or who manifest promise of outstanding academic success, and who have a demonstrated financial need.

All full-time undergraduate female students majoring in Chemistry in the Eberly College of Science at The Pennsylvania State University who have achieved superior academic records; whose home address of record is in the state of Pennsylvania; and who, to the extent permitted by law, are United States citizens.

All full-time undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in the Eberly College of Science who are also enrolled or planning to enroll in the Schreyer Honors College at The Pennsylvania State University. First preference to Chemistry majors.

All full-time undergraduate students who are majoring or planning on majoring in chemistry in the Eberly College of Science and have financial need.

Full-time students enrolled/planning to enroll with a major in Chemistry who have demonstrated their superior academic ability by performance in the Scholastic Aptitude Tests, in their high school grades or by other measures of achievement, including their predicted University grade-point average.

Undergraduate degree candidates enrolled/planning to enroll, as full-time students in Chemistry; other conditions of eligibility are superior academic record, or superior academic potential, evidence of financial need, and a Pennsylvania domicile.

Full-time undergraduate/graduate students enrolled/planning to enroll in the Department of Chemistry who have achieved positive academic records or who manifest promise of academic success.

Full-time undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in the Chemistry Department of the College of Science,who have expressed the intention to pursue a career in analytical chemistry, and who have completed at least six semesters of undergraduate work.