BBMB Student Scholarship Opportunities

The Roy J. Carver Department of BBMB supports its students with a variety of scholarships and awards. All eligible undergraduates are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

All incoming (including transfer) and active undergraduate students in the Roy J Carver Department of BBMB are eligible for consideration for departmental scholarships. Current students should demonstrate progress in a BBMB program of study. Most departmental scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0 unless specifically stated. All research-related scholarships require a nomination statement from a faculty/research mentor; these opportunities are indicated with an asterisk (*).

For full consideration of all departmental scholarships, some of which require financial need as demonstrated by FAFSA, please complete the FAFSA in a timely manner. The 2025/26 FAFSA Priority Dates are as follows:

First-Year/Continuing - February 4, 2025
Transfer - February 25, 2025

Applications & Timeline

Applications for most** 2025-'26 departmental scholarships will on or before October 15, 2024. Students should use OneAPP, the ISU Scholarship application site, to apply by the appropriate deadline:

Incoming first-year students: February 13, 2025
Transfer students: March 6, 2025
Continuing students: April 3, 2025
For full consideration of all eligible scholarships, students should complete the recommended opportunity that appears once the general OneApp application has been completed. The opportunity will be titled "Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (BBMB): Incoming First-Year Students", "Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (BBMB): Current Students", or "Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (BBMB): Transfer Students".

**Please note that the following scholarships are managed outside of OneApp and should be applied for according to the opportunity-specific instructions on this page:

BBMB Summer Undergraduate Research Program (BSRP): Applications announced via email in spring.
Ana and Ed McCracken Undergraduate Research Fellowship
- Guaranteed consideration dates: May 15 for Fall disbursement; December 15 for Spring disbursement. Applications considered on a rolling basis as available.
- Prerequisite: Must have completed OneApp Iowa State (general) and BBMB (Continuing Student) applications; OneApp due dates noted above
Linder Family Undergraduate Research Fellowship
- Guaranteed consideration dates: May 15 for Fall disbursement; December 15 for Spring disbursement. Applications considered on a rolling basis as available.
Rob Stupka Memorial Scholarship (Fall Nomination)
- Nominations from Research Mentors due the Friday before Fall Break one year in advance--e.g. due November 14, 2024 for 2025-'25 disbursement.
Rob Stupka Leadership Award (Spring Nomination)
- Nominations by student organization Advisors due the Friday before Spring Break the same semester as disbursement--e.g. March 14th, 2025 for Spring 2025 disbursement.

Awards are announced in late spring and recipients are recognized at the fall departmental awards program.

Supporters

BBMB welcomes inquiries about how to financially support our exceptional undergraduates through awards, scholarships, and research fellowships. Please reach out using the contact information below.

Contact

For Qs related to BBMB undergraduate funding, please email Claire Kruesel (kruesel@iastate.edu), BBMB Undergraduate Award/Fellowship/Scholarship Committee Chair.

_Notes:

_{All amounts are estimates based on typical and/or expected disbursements. Amounts may vary as funds and donor specifications allow. The BBMB Undergraduate Award/Fellowship/Scholarship Committee makes our best effort to strategically support our undergraduates with the resources available.}
_{All BBMB Awards/Fellowships/Scholarships require at least one letter of support, typically from a STEM instructor. * Indicates that a Research Mentor's nomination statement is also required.}

Scholarships for Incoming First-Year Students in Biochemistry

All incoming first-year students who complete the BBMB OneApp application will be considered for scholarships.

First-generation Student Scholarship

This scholarship supports incoming first-year students whose parents or guardians did not attend college or university.

John H. Weber Family Scholarship
$1000–2000 per year for 2 years

Selection for each freshman scholarship 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 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.

Scholarships for Continuing Students in Biochemistry

Continuing students may receive a maximum of one type of each award per semester. The different types are Research Awards; Academic Merit and/or Leadership Awards; and Principles of Community Awards (see headers below). Transfer students will be considered for these awards as available.

Recipients must meet these eligibility standards: Minimum GPA 3.0 (unless otherwise stated) and progress toward BBMB undergraduate program of study.

Research Awards

The following research awards each require a separate application outside of OneApp.
^{All research-related scholarships require a nomination statement from a faculty/research mentor; these opportunities are indicated with an asterisk (*). All continuing students who meet the eligibility standards above, conduct research, are supported by any required letter(s), and follow the award-specific guidelines below will be considered for the following research-based awards.}

Rob Stupka Memorial Scholarship *
Fall Nomination: Letter of Nomination by Faculty Research Mentor due Friday before Fall Break
$2000 per year for one year

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

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 this scholarship to honor his memory. The recipient 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. 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 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. 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.

Note on timing: Stupka Scholars are nominated and determined the year before the Scholarship is awarded. For example, nominations made in Fall 2021 would be used to determine 2022-23 Stupka Scholars.

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.

Ana and Ed McCracken Undergraduate Research Fellowship *
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 undergraduates to conduct substantive research 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.

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.

Linder Family Undergraduate Research Fellowship *
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.

The program and application details can be found here.
Please click here for an application checklist.

Viola Vorhies NIA Research Award *

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.

The following research awards are integrated into OneApp.
^{All continuing students who meet the eligibility standards above, conduct research, are supported by any required letter(s), and complete the OneApp application (including questions about research) will automatically be considered for the following research-based awards.}

Donald and Margaret Graves Scholarship *

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.

Chad Hoffman Memorial Research Award *

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.

Academic Merit and/or Leadership Awards

The following leadership award requires a separate application outside OneApp.
^{All continuing students who meet the eligibility standards above, are supported by any required letter(s), and follow the award-specific guidelines below will be considered for the following leadership-based award.}

Rob Stupka Leadership Award *
Spring Nomination: Letter of Nomination by student group Advisor due the Friday before Spring Break
$500 per year

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

This very important award recognizes outstanding graduating senior students for their contribution to the success of our students and program.

The recipient shall have clearly demonstrated sustained leadership and significant effort in support of any undergraduate program function such as the BBMB Undergraduate Club and/or Stupka Undergraduate Research Symposium. Stupka Scholars are not eligible for this award. Peer Mentor Learning Community participation may not be used to qualify 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.

The following academic merit and leadership awards are integrated into OneApp.
^{All continuing students who meet the eligibility standards above, are supported by any required letter(s), and complete the OneApp application will automatically be considered for the following merit- and leadership-based awards.}

American Institute of Chemistry (AIC) Certificate
$250

The top graduating senior, based on cumulative GPA in BBMB, is awarded this honor.

Biochemical Sciences Sophomore Scholarship

Awardees are selected on the basis of academic achievement, academic promise, and contribution to the department through participation in departmental activities.

Dexter French Scholarship

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.

Garnett B. Whitehurst Endowed Scholarship

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.

Hayward Goodspeed Award

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.

Jack and Carole Horowitz Scholarship

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).

Marian Willis-LeFevre Scholarship

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.

Dr. James and Mrs. Marilyn Gaylor Scholarship in Biochemistry

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.

Principles of Community Awards

Principles of Community (PoC)Awards are offered in the spirit of Iowa State University's six Principles of Community. All BBMB students who meet the eligibility standards above; complete the OneApp application; and answer OneApp questions necessary to determine qualification will be considered for PoC Awards.

The following PoC award is integrated into OneApp:

First-generation Student Scholarship

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.