The Arnold & Mabel Beckman Foundation was founded in 1977 with a mission to support leading edge research, in the fields of chemistry and life sciences, broadly interpreted, and particularly to foster the invention of methods, instruments, and materials that open up new avenues of research and application in these sciences and related disciplines. In an effort to be more competitive and fairer, the Foundation did a study of the impact on the impact of Blind Letters of Intent and found that applicants invited to the full application phase shifted from prestigious institutions (top 25 institutions) to other institutions outside the group. The shift went from 75 top institutions/25 other institutions to 55 other institutions/45 top institutions. The Beckman Foundation’s preference is to favor young investigators, new ideas, and a variety of projects rather than fund large, established ones of long duration. As their vision states; supporting young scientists today for tomorrow’s breakthrough discoveries. They have (4) National Grant Programs as described below.
| Grant Name | Eligibility | Brief Description | Award Amounts | Due Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckman Young Investigators (Junior Faculty) | Must be in first four years of a tenure-track position at a US academic or non-profit research institution. | Provides research support to most promising young faculty. Focus on chemical and life sciences, fostering invention of methods, instruments and materials. | $600,000 ($150,000 annually) over project term of (4) years | Applications Open June – August |
| AOB Postdoctoral Fellows in Chemistry | For grad students expected to complete a PhD in Chemical Sciences who have <18 months cumulative postdoc research experience. | Funding supports advanced research by postdoctoral scholars in chemical sciences or development and build of chemical instrumentation. | $224,000 over 2 years for salary, fringe benefits, and research expenditures $200,000 additional for instrument- tation development $118,000 available for year 3 renewal | Applications Open May – September |
| Beckman Scholars Program (Undergraduates) | Institutional Award Must have under-graduate degree programs and wet lab facilities for chemistry and biology. | A 15-month mentored research experience for exceptional undergraduate students in chemistry, biological sciences, or interdisciplinary combinations thereof. | Funds (6) Student/ Mentor pairs per Institution (2 per year) $21,000 per Student/ $5,000 per Mentor | Applications Open February – June |
The purpose of the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc., is to advance the science of chemistry, chemical engineering, and related sciences as a means of improving human relations and circumstances throughout the world. Throughout its history the Foundation has sought to take the lead in identifying and addressing needs and opportunities in the chemical sciences through a series of programs and awards. In broad terms, these programs support young faculty accomplished in both research and teaching, who recognize exceptional and original research that has advanced the field and fund lectureships at primarily undergraduate institutions.
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| Grant Name | Eligibility | Brief Description | Award Amounts/Due Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program | This program is open to faculty who meet all of the following criteria: From academic institutions in the States that grant a bachelor’s or higher degree in the chemical sciences, including chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering.Hold a full-time tenure-track academic appointment focused on the chemical sciences.From Ph.D. granting departments in which scholarly research is a principal activity and undergraduate education is an important component.Are within the first six years of their independent academic careers at the time of submission of the nomination. Experience has shown that awardees tend to be close to the end of their eligibility window, but all eligible candidates are welcome to apply. | This program supports the research and teaching careers of talented early career faculty in the chemical sciences. The Award, which requires an institutional nomination, is based on an independent body of scholarship attained in the early years of their appointment, as well as a demonstrated commitment to education, and provides an unrestricted research grant. | $100,000 02/2027 (estimated) |
| Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program | This program is open to faculty who meet all of the following criteria: From academic institutions in the States that grant a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the chemical sciences, including chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering.Hold a full-time tenure-line academic appointment focused on the chemical sciences.Are after the fourth and not after the twelfth years of their independent academic careers at the time of the submission of the nomination, and engaged in independent research and teaching primarily with undergraduates. Experience has shown that awardees tend to be close to the end of their eligibility window, but all eligible candidates are welcome to apply.In departments that do not grant a doctoral degree. A potential nominee is ineligible if there is active participation or substantial research productivity in a Ph.D. program of another department or institution, or in an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program. | This program supports the research and teaching careers of talented early-career faculty in the chemical sciences at primarily undergraduate institutions. The award, which requires an institutional nomination, is based on accomplishment in scholarly research with undergraduates, as well as a compelling commitment to teaching, and provides an unrestricted research grant of $75,000. | $75,000 08/06/26 |
| Jean Dreyfus Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions | Applications are accepted from departments in the chemical sciences at primarily undergraduate institutions in the States. Eligible departments may grant a B.S. or M.S. degree in chemistry or chemical engineering, but not a Ph.D.Institutions are restricted to only one application annually for this program.Institutions that receive an award are eligible to reapply once all award activities are complete and a satisfactory final report has been submitted. | This award provides a grant to 1) facilitate a visit and lectures by a notable researcher in the chemical sciences to a primarily undergraduate institution, and 2) fund summer research fellowships for two undergraduate students. The visiting researcher must give at least two lectures in the chemical sciences. One of the lectures should be accessible and promoted to a wide audience that includes the general public. The remaining lecture(s) may be more technical. The lecturer is expected to spend more than one day at the institution and to substantively interact with undergraduate students and a range of faculty over the course of the visit. The under-graduates funded to engage in summer research are expected to work with on-campus mentors in the chemical sciences. | $25,000 08/06/26 |
The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation in collaboration with the American Chemical Society created the following awards:
| Grant Name | Brief Description | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Award for Encouraging Women into Careers in the Chemical Sciences | This award recognizes significant accomplishments by individuals who have stimulated or fostered the interest of women in chemistry, promoting their professional development as chemists or chemical engineers. A grant of $10,000 is also made to an eligible non-profit institution, designated by the recipient, to strengthen its activities in meeting the objectives of the award. | $5,000 and a certificate. |
| Award for Encouraging Underrepresented and Economically Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences | This award recognizes significant accomplishments by individuals in stimulating students, underrepresented in the profession, to elect careers in the chemical sciences and engineering. A grant of $10,000 is also made to an eligible non-profit institution, designated by the recipient, to strengthen its activities in meeting the objectives of the award. | $5,000 and a certificate. |
The American Chemical Society’s website provides additional information on these programs, nomination guidelines, and awardees. Nominees for these awards may come from any professional setting: academia, industry, government, or other independent facility. While these programs are funded by the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation; the American Chemical Society is responsible for the administration and selection of the awardee.