$1000–2000 per year for 2 years

Selection for each first-year scholarship recipient is based on academic excellence; leadership and participation in high school and community activities; and demonstrated future promise in biochemistry. All entering students declaring a primary major in biochemistry and submitting a complete application are considered for this award. This award is distributed over two years; recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and make continued progress toward a BBMB program of study to renew eligibility.

Amount variable for 1 year; renewal possible as funds allow

This scholarship supports incoming first-year students who show academic promise and whose parents or guardians did not attend college or university.

Amount variable for 4 years

This significant scholarship supports promising future students in biochemistry who otherwise would not be able to attend Iowa State, and supports them throughout their time earning a B.S. in biochemistry.

Selection for each first-year scholarship recipient is based on academic excellence; leadership and participation in high school and community activities; and demonstrated future promise in biochemistry. All entering students declaring a primary major in biochemistry, completing the FAFSA, and submitting a complete application are considered for this award. This award is distributed over four years; recipients must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and make continued progress toward a BBMB program of study to renew eligibility.

The family of Rob Stupka, an ISU biochemistry student who died in 2005 and was an innovative and active member of the BBMB community, has established multiple scholarships to honor his memory. Stupka Scholar and Stupka Researcher Awards are sourced from letters of nomination by Research Mentors. Eligible nominees shall be a biochemistry major; be of junior standing (meaning the year before their final year) when nominated and senior standing (meaning their final year) when awarded; and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

Fall Nomination: Letter of Nomination by Faculty Research Mentor due Friday before Fall Break 

• Please note that only one letter is needed for nominee to be considered for both the Stupka Scholar and Stupka Researcher Award. Only one Stupka Award may be conferred per student.
• Faculty should submit their letter of nomination to the BBMB Scholarship Committee c/o Claire Kruesel (kruesel@iastate.edu) by the Friday before Fall Break.
• Note on community leadership/involvement, which is required to some degree for both Scholar and Researcher Awards: Peer Mentor Learning Community or BSRP Program Assistant participation may not be the sole factor used to qualify "leadership" as these roles are compensated with pay and/or credit.
• Note on timing: Stupka Scholars and Researchers are nominated the year before the Scholarship is awarded. For example, nominations made in Fall 2025 would be used to determine 2026-'27 Stupka Scholars and Fall 2026 Stupka Researchers.

Stupka Scholar Award: $1000 per semester for one year ($2k total)

Recipients of this scholarship are conferred the honorary title "Stupka Scholar."

This award recognizes exceptional development as an undergraduate researcher and impactful leadership in the BBMB community. Awardees shall have conducted or actively conduct high-quality research as evidenced by, but not limited to, progress towards a research publication. It is expected that Stupka Scholars actively continue research during year awarded and will seek opportunities to present their work that support their professional goals. Awardees are selected on the basis of research involvement, academic achievement, and clearly demonstrated and sustained leadership with the BBMB Undergraduate Club, Learning Community, and/or Stupka Symposium. 

Stupka Researcher Award: $750 Fall of final/4th year

Recipients of this scholarship are conferred the honorary title "Stupka Researcher."

The Stupka Researcher Award was established Fall 2025 to recognize outstanding development as an undergraduate researcher by a student active in the BBMB community. They shall have conducted or actively conduct high-quality research as evidenced by, but not limited to, progress towards a research publication. It is expected that Stupka Researchers actively continue research during period awarded and will seek opportunities to present their work that support their professional goals. Awardees are selected on the basis of research involvement (primary consideration), academic achievement, and involvement/leadership with the BBMB Undergraduate Club, Learning Community, and/or Stupka Symposium.

Fellowship granted for up to one academic year (Fall and Spring) with possibility for renewal. Guaranteed consideration dates: May 15 (academic-year disbursement, starting in Fall) and December 15 (Spring disbursement only).
$2500 per semester for one year; may apply for renewal.

Recipients of this scholarship are conferred the honorary title "McCracken Fellow."

The intent of these research awards is to encourage and provide support for biochemistry undergraduates to conduct substantive research mentored by ISU faculty. A research proposal co-written with a faculty research mentor and letter of support from the faculty research mentor are required. Mentors are not required to be in BBMB, but the research focus should be a good fit for biochemistry majors.

Students wishing to be considered for McCracken Fellowship should complete both Iowa State (general) and BBMB Departmental-Continuing Student OneApp opportunities, AND contact Claire Kruesel for instructions on how to submit research proposal documents.

Note on timing: Applicants should aim to submit all materials before the guaranteed-consideration deadlines. Please contact Claire Kruesel if your timeline does not fit these deadlines, as exceptions may be made to accommodate the realities of research.

Fellowship granted for up to one academic year (Fall and Spring) with possibility for renewal. Guaranteed consideration dates: May 15 (academic-year disbursement, starting in Fall) and December 15 (Spring disbursement only).
$2000 per year for one year, may apply for renewal for up to two years total; additional, optional Resource Award of up to $1500

Recipients of this scholarship are conferred the honorary title "Linder Fellow."

The intent of these research awards is to encourage and provide support for undergraduates as they begin their first independent research experience in the laboratories of BBMB faculty. A research proposal co-written with a faculty research mentor and letter of support from the faculty research mentor are required. 

Linder Family Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program and Application Details

Linder Family Undergraduate Research Fellowship Application Checklist

Note on timing: Applicants should aim to submit all materials before the guaranteed-consideration deadlines. Please contact Claire Kruesel if your timeline does not fit these deadlines, as exceptions may be made to accommodate the realities of research.

This award is made to an undergraduate student conducting research related to the study of carcinogens and cancer cures.                             
Recipients must meet the standard BBMB scholarship eligibility criteria; a letter of nomination or support from the faculty research mentor is also required. 

Dr. Donald Graves and his family provide this award. Dr. Graves is the former Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The student shall have demonstrated genuine interest in and aptitude for doing research. More important that GPA, the student shall possess those characteristics and attributes usually associated with the conduct of effective research. The recipient shall be engaged in undergraduate research during the tenure of the scholarship.

This award is made to an undergraduate who is actively involved in research with a faculty member of the Department of BBMB. The principal criterion is involvement in research as demonstrated by specific accomplishments such as publications or submitted manuscripts. The recipient must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. 

Spring Nomination: Letter of Nomination by student group Advisor due the Friday before Spring Break

Rob Stupka Leader Award: $750 Spring of final/4th year

Recipients of this scholarship are conferred the honorary title "Stupka Leader."

The family of Rob Stupka, an ISU biochemistry student who died in 2005 and was an innovative and active member of the BBMB community, has established scholarships to honor his memory. The recipient shall be a biochemistry major and of senior standing (meaning their final year) when awarded. 

This very important award recognizes outstanding graduating senior students for their contribution to the success of our students and program. Awardees are selected on the basis of clearly demonstrated and sustained leadership with the BBMB Undergraduate Club, Learning Community, and/or Stupka Symposium. Stupka Scholars and Researchers are not eligible for this award. Peer Mentor Learning Community participation may not be the sole factor used to qualify "leadership" as Peer Mentors are paid and/or receive credit for their work.

Nominations may be made by Advisors to the student groups listed above. Nominators should submit their letter of nomination to the BBMB Scholarship Committee c/o Claire Kruesel (kruesel@iastate.edu) by the Friday before Spring Break.

This award is made possible by a contribution to the department from colleagues and former students of the late Professor Dexter French, past Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Awardees are selected on the basis of academic achievement, academic promise, and contribution to the department through participation in departmental activities.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors majoring in biochemistry are eligible for this award. Awardees are selected on the basis of academic achievement, academic promise, and contribution to the department through participation in departmental activities.

Awardees are selected on the basis of academic achievement, academic promise, and contribution to the department through participation in department activities. The recipient must be a sophomore and majoring in biochemical sciences. Recipients are eligible for renewal provided they maintain eligibility.

This award is provided by Dr. Jack Horowitz and his family. Dr. Horowitz, Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry, served a long and distinguished career in the Department of BBMB, including serving as the Chair of the department. Awardees are selected on the basis of academic achievement, academic promise, and contribution to the department through participation in departmental activities. Minimum GPA of 3.5. Recipient must be biochemistry major in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).

The intent of this award is to honor young women interested in science, particularly biochemistry and biophysics. Recipients shall be Iowa high school graduates, college juniors or seniors and preference given to female students. 

Awardees, meeting the criteria, are eligible for renewal.

The Gaylor family has always placed high priority on education. They wish to support undergraduate students majoring in biochemistry and preference shall be given to female students as allow by law. Recipients must meet the standard BBMB scholarship eligibility criteria.

This scholarship supports incoming first-year students whose parents or guardians did not attend college or university. Continuing students will be supported as available; BBMB is actively working to expand the reach of this scholarship.

This PoC award is integrated into OneApp