SCHOLARSHIPS
The Department of Chemistry annually administers a number of awards and scholarships. Some require that students submit applications, other awardees are nominated for recognition by faculty in the department.
THE CLARK AND SHIRLEY CHOW SCHOLARSHIPS
These scholarships were established in memory of the late professors Dr. Phillip C. Roberti and Dr. Morris B. Silverman of the PSU Chemistry Department, who actively encouraged students to explore the field of chemistry beyond its horizons, and who had a positive impact on others. The scholarship is awarded annually to one Junior Chemistry Major and one Junior Biochemistry Major, providing each with a $5,000 award per year that is renewable for an additional year (up to $10,000 total per student). Students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship meant to provide renewable support to Chemistry/Biochemistry majors who are entering their Junior year at PSU.
Application materials are due February 15 annually - EXTENDED to March 1 for 2024.
Complete a PSU Online Scholarship Application
THE LARRY VOCKLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This scholarship was established to honor Larry Vockler, founder of ICD High Performance Coatings. The scholarship is awarded annually to two outstanding Sophomore Chemistry Majors, providing each with a $2,500 scholarship, and is intended to help promising students complete their studies. Larry Vockler Scholarship awards are administered in concert with the Office of Financial Aid. Students may apply for this scholarship - and search other scholarship opportunities - via the University's Online Scholarship Application.
Application materials are due February 15 annually - EXTENDED to March 1 for 2024.
Complete a PSU Online Scholarship Application
THE CARL WAMSER STUDENT SUMMER RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
This award was established by Richard and Helen Phillips to honor Professor Carl Wamser, who served as the faculty research mentor to Richard Phillips when he was an undergraduate student. The award provides a scholarship of $5,000 to support a PSU undergraduate Chemistry Major pursuing a research project in the laboratory of a departmental faculty member, in particular those focused in the areas of chemical biology, biochemistry, or organic chemistry. The scholarship is not limited to use in the summer term, but the student must be completing summer research in order to be eligible.
Application materials are due April 15th and include a one-page essay written by the student describing their research plans for the summer, a listing of their remaining courses needed to graduate PSU, and a letter of recommendation from their research advisor. Completed materials can be directly submitted to Sarah Bartlett sbart2@pdx.edu by either the student or the research advisor.
LOCAL ACS SECTION SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is sponsored by the Portland Local Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) to help a chemistry major in their senior year. To be eligible, the student must have completed the last year of their secondary education in Oregon, Washington, or Idaho. Students are nominated for this award by the chemistry faculty at Portland State University and selected by the members of the local ACS. Nominations are due during the first week of the winter term annually.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The University offers a number of scholarship opportunities for students at every level of education, including incoming freshmen, undergraduate, international, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students. Visit the Scholarships webpage for information about available scholarships, upcoming workshops, and application tips and deadlines.
The Financing Your Education and Scholarships and Awards pages on the Office of Graduate Studies' website detail scholarships and other funding opportunities for graduate students.
UNDERGRADUATE TRAVEL AWARDS
ACS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD
The ACS Undergraduate Student Travel Award is sponsored by the Portland Local Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and adjudicated by the faculty of the Department of Chemistry at Portland State University. The award supports students who wish to attend an ACS National meeting. To be considered for this travel award students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree (B.S./B.A.) in Chemistry/Biochemistry at Portland State University and working in a research laboratory. Applications for this award are due each January.
Apply for the Undergraduate Student ACS Travel Award
Students should discuss their interest in applying for this award with their research advisor before beginning the application process. When students submit an application form, their advisor will receive an e-mail with details for submitting their letter. Advisor letters are due each January and must include information about the applicant's ability and achievements to date and the importance of conference attendance to their career path.
Recommend a Student for the Undergraduate Student ACS Travel Award
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD
The Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Student Travel Award supports students who wish to attend any scientific meeting or conference. To be considered for this travel award students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree (B.S./B.A.) in Chemistry/Biochemistry at Portland State University and working in a research laboratory. Applications for this award are due each February. Students are encouraged to apply to give an oral presentation, unless poster presentations are the only option (e.g., a Gordon Research Conference). A student who applies to a conference to give an oral presentation but is offered a poster presentation instead will still be eligible for the travel award. Applications for this award are due February 15th, though rolling application review may occur again through Winter/Spring term.
Apply for the Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Student Travel Award
Students should discuss their interest in applying for this award with their research advisor before beginning the application process. Advisor letters are due each February and must include information about the applicant's ability and achievements to date, the significance of their work, the importance of conference attendance on their career path, and a statement about the availability of additional funds to support the applicant's travel if needed.
Recommend a Student for the Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Student Travel Award
ACS UNDERGRADUATE TRAVEL AWARDS & DIVISION EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Several divisions within the American Chemical Society (ACS) offer undergraduate travel awards. Students having submitted an abstract to present their research at a conference are encouraged to review their eligibility and discuss the opportunities with their research advisor.
Analytical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
GRADUATE AWARDS
CLARK AND SHIRLEY CHOW TRAVEL AWARDS
The Clark and Shirley Chow Travel Awards are meant to support graduate students who plan to travel to and present (if possible) their work at national chemistry meetings. There are two separate awards, each worth $2,000. Students should contact their faculty advisor for more information on how to be considered for these awards. Applications for this award are due at the end of October, though rolling application review may occur again through Winter/Spring term.
The first award is to support travel to national American Chemical Society (ACS) conference. This award is available to second, third, and fourth year graduate students. The award will cover registration, travel, lodging, and meals for the annual ACS meeting.
The second award is to support travel to the national American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expositions. The award is available to third and fourth year graduate students. The award will cover registration, travel, lodging, and meals.
Apply for the Clark and Shirley Chow Travel Award (same application as departmental travel awards)
Recommend a Student for the Clark and Shirley Chow Travel Award
CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT GRADUATE STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD
The Graduate Student Travel Award supports students pursuing a graduate degree (Ph.D./M.S.) in Chemistry at Portland State University who are presenting the results of their research at a conference. Students should apply to give an oral presentation, unless poster presentations are the only option (e.g., a Gordon Research Conference). A student who applies to a conference to give an oral presentation but is offered a poster presentation instead will still be eligible for the travel award. Applications for this award are due at the end of October, though rolling application review may occur again through Winter/Spring term.
Apply for the Graduate Student Travel Award (same application as Clark and Shirley Chow Travel Awards)
Students should discuss their interest in applying for this award with their research advisor before beginning the application process. Advisor letters are due on the last day of October and must include information about the applicant's ability and achievements to date, the significance of their work, the importance of conference attendance on their career path, and a statement about the availability of additional funds to support the applicant's travel if needed.
Recommend a Student for the Graduate Student Travel Award
OTHER DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AWARDS
Each year, the Department of Chemistry honors outstanding undergraduate and graduate students with a number of other awards. Students are nominated for these awards by faculty in the Department of Chemistry.
- The George S. Hammond Award in Organic Chemistry and the Analytical Chemistry Award each recognize excellent coursework by undergraduates in upper division classes, while the Outstanding Senior Award is presented to an outstanding student at the end of their undergraduate degree program.
- The Clyde Johnson Award is named for the the Founding Department Chair and Professor of Chemistry at Portland State from 1950 to 1964 and recognizes the outstanding Chemistry Major in their Junior year.
- Established in honor of Paul Emmett, Professor of Chemistry at Portland State from 1971 to 1985, member of the National Academy of Science, and friend and brother-in-law of Linus Pauling, the Paul Emmett Award recognizes an outstanding Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemistry in his or her penultimate year.
- The Alfred S. Levinson Award for Outstanding Teaching, which recognizes outstanding teaching by a Graduate Teaching Assistant in Chemistry, was established in honor of Alfred S. Levinson, Professor of Chemistry at Portland State from 1963 to 1994, recognizing the value that Al placed on excellence in teaching.
PHILANTHROPY
The Department of Chemistry gratefully relies on donations to the funds that support these student awards and scholarships. More information about these funds and how to contribute to the Department is available on the Giving page of our website.