Need-Based Awards
Summer Research Stipends
Chevron Scholarships
Commencement Awards
Undergraduate Conference Travel Grant
Student Emergency Needs Fund
The College of Chemistry offers a variety of financial awards and scholarships to CoC undergraduates, including awards based on financial need, outstanding achievement in academics and research, and grants for conference travel and to help with unforeseen emergencies. Please see below for more information about the awards, eligibility criteria, and related application and nomination processes.
Need-Based Awards
All College of Chemistry undergraduates who meet the eligibility requirements below are automatically considered for a financial need-based award in the Fall semester–students do not need to apply. The awards are funded by individuals, families, and companies, and in some cases awardees may be asked to communicate or meet with their donor(s).
- Eligibility
- Eligible for financial aid
- Not a recipient for the year prior
- Continuing student
- New first-years and transfer students who took two major technical courses in the summer at Berkeley before matriculating to Berkeley are also eligible
- No open case with Student Conduct within the last calendar year
- On-track to graduate with a B.S. from CoC
- Note: additional eligibility is determined by fund restrictions
Summer Research Stipends
Summer Research Stipend Application (due March 22 for Summer 2024)
CoC undergraduates who plan to conduct full-time research in a CoC or affiliated lab for a minimum of eight weeks over the summer may apply for a Summer Research Stipend of $4,000. Your application must be supported by a recommendation from your lab’s PI. Funds are limited and not all applications will receive funding. Special consideration will be given to students with demonstrated financial need.
Recommendations should be short (1 page) and should include the title and goals of the research, the name of the research mentor (usually a graduate student or postdoc), and the lab location.
Any student intending to apply for a Summer Research Stipend is strongly encouraged to sign up to present a poster at the Annual College of Chemistry Saegebarth Undergraduate Research Fair which will take place in April.
Should your plans change such that you cannot work full time for eight weeks, you must notify the Undergraduate Student Services office and return any unearned funding.
Students graduating in the spring are ineligible for a summer research stipend due to the terms of our funding.
Chevron Scholarships
2024 Chevron Scholarship Application (due February 29 for AY 2024-25)
Chevron annually offers seven scholarships of $4,000 each to Chemical Engineering undergraduates (first-, second-, and third-years only). To apply, you must meet the following selection criteria:
- Full-time student
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Pursuing an undergraduate chemical engineering degree
- Demonstrate knowledge of and interest in Chevron and the energy industry
- A minimum of one noteworthy achievement or recognition (e.g., Dean’s List, etc.)
Additional requirements by class:
Freshman & Sophomores
- A minimum of one membership in a technical society or extracurricular activity (e.g., AIChE, SWE, NSBE, etc.)
- A minimum of one energy-related internship OR non-technical work experience preferred, but not required
Juniors
- A minimum of one leadership role in a technical society or extracurricular activity (e.g., AIChE, SWE, NSBE, etc.)
- A minimum of one technical internship related to field of study
Commencement Awards
These awards are meant to recognize and celebrate the achievements of graduating seniors in the College of Chemistry. Nominations are typically made by CoC faculty; staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students are also welcome to submit nominations, including self-nominations.
Commencement Awards Nomination Form (due April 19, 2024)
Chemistry Departmental Citation
Chemistry and chemical biology majors. Awarded for excellence in the departmental field of study to a student with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Departmental Citations are awarded to graduating seniors.
Glenn T. Seaborg Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research in Chemistry
Established by the College of Chemistry. Eligibility criteria:
- The recipient must have graduated or plan to graduate sometime during the current academic year with a B.S. degree in chemistry or chemical biology from UCB
- Worked on a research project in the lab of a College of Chemistry faculty member
- Be nominated by the student’s faculty research director
Erich O. & Elly M. Saegebarth Prize in Chemistry
Awarded to an outstanding graduating senior who can document their intention to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.
George C. Pimentel Award
Honors a first-generation graduating senior in the chemistry department who meets the following criteria:
- Engaged in undergraduate research
- Plans to go to graduate school in chemistry or a related field
- Is a member of the first generation in their family to go to college
Koo Liu Siok-Han Award
Awarded to an exceptional chemistry department major in recognition of outstanding academic achievement.
Kirsch Prize
The Kirsch Prize is endowed by the late Professor Jack Kirsch and his wife, Birthe Kirsch, and is awarded for excellence in Chemical Biology.
Senior Undergraduate Research Awards
These recognizeoutstanding undergraduate research projects completed by graduating seniors in the College of Chemistry. Research supervisors may nominate any CoC graduating senior working under their supervision.
Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringDepartmental Citation
Awarded for excellence in Chemical Engineering to a student with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Departmental Citations are awarded to graduating seniors (one per department).
John M. Prausnitz Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Established by the College of Chemistry.
Eligibility criteria:
- Recipient must have graduated or plan to graduate sometime during the current academic year with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from UCB
- Worked on a research project in the lab of a College of Chemistry faculty member
- Be nominated by the student’s faculty research director
Paul Plouffe Award for Integration of Science and Engineering with the Humanities
Recipient is a Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering undergraduate.
Undergraduate Conference Travel Grant
The Undergraduate Conference Travel Grant supports undergraduate CoC students who plan to travel to a conference to present a research paper or poster on a topic related to their studies in the College of Chemistry.
The Conference Travel Grant is intended to support students participating in research projects outside of those organized through an internship, study abroad, or other more formal programs (costs incurred during the latter types of programs are not eligible).
Eligibility criteria:
- Good academic standing (Cumulative GPA = 2.0 or higher)
- Have a research supervisor
- Travel must occur while applicants are registered UC Berkeley students
- Able to present your research at the spring Undergraduate Research Fair (mid- to late April)
See the Undergraduate Conference Travel Grant Application web site for application guidelines and deadlines.
Student Emergency Needs Fund
CoC Emergency Funding Request form
The College of Chemistry's Student Emergency Needs Fund assists CoC undergrads who are dealing with sudden unexpected financial hardships. Emergency grants of up to $1000 will be made to eligible students.
Students who have maxed out their subsidized student loans will be given priority. If you have subsidized loans available, please accept the remainder of your loan ASAP rather than apply for the CoC grant.
Please go to our Student Emergency Needs Fund web page for more information.