Scholarships & Awards

This award aids biochemistry undergraduates who are early in their academic careers in gaining focused, full-time research experience (equivalent of 30-40 hours per week over eight weeks) during the summer following receipt of the award. Research must be conducted in a UW–Madison lab.

Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research awardees are chosen annually depending on the pool of undergraduate applicants and the availability of award funds. The award amount is $5,000.

Eligibility: 

• Applicant must be a declared biochemistry major
• Applicant must be an enrolled undergraduate student during the fall semester following the award

Application: Students can apply for this award via Qualtrics at the end of each calendar year. A complete application includes the following:

• Current resume or curriculum vita (CV) that includes dated lab experiences and notable extracurricular activities
• One page personal statement describing the applicant’s personal interests, career goals, and lab experience
• Unofficial transcripts or grade reports for any completed or in-progress coursework
• PDF copies of any co-authored manuscripts
• Five page maximum research proposal for the project, containing an Abstract (200 words or less, may be single-spaced), Background and Significance (i.e., a literature), Methods (plans for data collection and analysis), and References (may be single-spaced)
• Name and email address for the UW-Madison faculty member who will serve as the primary mentor for the proposed project

Selection and Participation:

• Applicants may expect to be notified of award outcomes by early April
• Awardees may not accept any other research funding or awards during the summer in which they will receive the award. Applicants who receive a Hilldale award must perform Hilldale projects during the academic year
• Award payments will be distributed as a lump sum, subject to payroll taxes, during the summer in which the award is received
• Awardees must work full-time (the equivalent of 30-40 hours per week for 8 weeks) in a UW-Madison laboratory during the summer in which the award is received
• Awardees must submit a research report (500-1,000 words) upon completion of the proposed activity, generally no later than the first day of fall term classes

If you are unable to access the online application, please contact the Biochemistry Awards staff at awards@biochem.wisc.edu

The Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Awards are generously supported by the Gilboe Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, the E.W. Hopkins Fund, the Carl Krieger Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Floyd C. McIntire Biochemistry Award Fund, the Henry A. Lardy Undergraduate Research Fund, the Marc A.T. Muskavitch Undergraduate Research Fund, the Jack Gorski Fund, the Ezra L. Totton Scholarship in Biochemistry, and by Eric Bey and Amanda Boley.

This prestigious undergraduate award recognizes UW–Madison Department of Biochemistry undergraduate students with demonstrated excellence in and commitment to research by providing financial assistance to foster and support their experience in biochemistry-related activities during the summer session before their final year and/or during their final year of undergraduate education. Relevant activities for support include:

1. Conducting faculty-advised research in a biochemistry-oriented laboratory
2. Traveling to participate in a global health program
3. Traveling to a scientific meeting to present a research-oriented poster or paper

Mary Shine Peterson awardees are chosen annually depending on the pool of undergraduate applicants and the availability of award funds. The award amount is $5,000.

Eligibility: 

• Applicant must be a declared biochemistry major
• Applicant must intend to graduate in the academic year following the year in which they submit their application
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA exceeding or equal to 3.5 at the end of the fall semester before they apply
• Applicant must have completed at least one biochemistry course at the 500-level or higher
• Applicants are preferred, but not required, to have at least one year of laboratory research experience

Application: Students can apply for this award via Qualtrics at the end of each calendar year. A complete application includes the following:

• Current resume or curriculum vita (CV) that includes dated lab experiences and notable extracurricular activities
• One page personal statement describing the applicant’s professional career plans, the activity or research project the award is intended to support, and how the award would enhance and advance the applicant’s research education in biochemistry and their scientific career
• Unofficial transcripts or grade reports for any completed or in-progress coursework
• PDF copies of any co-authored manuscripts
• Names and email addresses for two UW-Madison faculty or staff who will provide letters of recommendation. References must include the primary mentor for the proposed activity, as well as an additional party familiar with the proposed activity

Selection and Participation:

• Applicants may expect to be notified of award outcomes by early April
• Award payments will be distributed as a lump sum, subject to payroll taxes, during the summer in which the award is received
• Awardees must submit a research report (500-1,000 words) upon completion of the proposed activity, generally no later than the first day of fall term classes

If you are unable to access the online application, please contact the Biochemistry Awards staff at awards@biochem.wisc.edu

This prestigious award aids exceptional biochemistry undergraduates by providing 3 semesters of paid focused research experience and $12,500 of paid tuition. This award provides a full-time research experience (equivalent of 30-40 hours per week over eight weeks) during the summer semester following receipt of the award; and a part-time research experience (equivalent of 10-15 hours per week over the fifteen weeks each of the following fall and spring semesters). Research must be conducted in a UW–Madison lab.

A single Physician Scientist Biochemistry Scholarship will be granted annually for the duration of the program. The award provides students a lump sum of $7,000 to fund their summer research experience; $2,750 to fund their fall research experience; and $2,750 to fund their spring research experience. The award also provides a total of $12,500 in tuition toward fall and spring semesters during which the research experience is funded.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be sophomore standing or higher
• Applicant must be a declared biochemistry major
• Applicant must be an enrolled undergraduate student during the fall semester following the award
• Applicants are preferred, but not required, to be interested in becoming a physician scientist

Application: Students can apply for this award via Qualtrics at the end of each calendar year. A complete application includes the following:

• Current resume or curriculum vita (CV) that includes dated lab experiences and notable extracurricular activities
• One page personal statement describing the applicant’s personal interests, career goals, and lab experience
• Unofficial transcripts or grade reports for any completed or in-progress coursework
• PDF copies of any co-authored manuscripts
• Five page maximum research proposal for the project, containing an Abstract (200 words or less, may be single-spaced), Background and Significance (i.e., a literature), Methods (plans for data collection and analysis), and References (may be single-spaced)
• Names and email addresses for two UW-Madison faculty or staff who will provide letters of recommendation. References must include the primary mentor for the proposed project, as well as an additional party familiar with the proposed project

Selection and Participation:

• Applicants may expect to be notified of award outcomes by early April
• Awardees may not accept any other research funding or awards during the semesters in which they will receive the award
• Award payments will be distributed as lump sums, subject to payroll taxes, during the summer, fall, and spring semesters in which the award is received
• Awardees must work full-time (the equivalent of 30-40 hours per week for 8 weeks) in a UW-Madison laboratory during the summer in which the award is received
• Awardees must submit a research report (500-1,000 words) upon completion of the proposed activity, generally no later than the first day of fall term classes

If you are unable to access the online application, please contact the Biochemistry Awards staff at awards@biochem.wisc.edu

The Physician Scientist Biochemistry Scholarship Fund is generously supported by Jeff and Betsy Toretsky.

• List of campus-wide awards
• Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship: Hilldale Fellowships provide support for collaborative research between undergraduate students and faculty or instructional academic staff members. Fellowships provide a grant of $3,000 to students and $1,000 to the faculty/staff supervisor to help defray the costs of research. Students must have at least junior standing at the time of application.
• Holstrom Environmental Research Fellowship: Holstrom Fellowships are awarded for collaborative research on environmental issues between undergraduate students and faculty or instructional academic staff members. Scholarships provide a grant of $3,000 to the student and $1,000 to the faculty/staff supervisor to help defray the costs of research. Students must have at least junior standing at the time of application.
• Sophomore Research Fellowship: Funded by grants from the Brittingham Fund and the Kemper K. Knapp Bequest, the Sophomore Research Fellowships support undergraduate research done in collaboration with UW–Madison faculty or research/instructional academic staff. The student researcher receives $2,500 and their faculty/staff research supervisor receives $500 to help offset research costs.
• Jack Gorski Scholarship: Awarded to freshmen and sophomores in CALS who are majoring in Biochemistry, Dairy Science, or Animal Science, applicants must be eligible for work-study. Preference is given to students who graduated from high schools with less than 1,000 students.
• Alpha Helix Scholarship: The Alpha Helix Scholarship was established by friends of Professor Perry A. Frey and his wife Carolyn for undergraduate studies in CALS. Awarded to CALS undergraduate students enrolled in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics or Nutritional Sciences, distribution of this scholarship is based on merit and financial need.

• List of nationally competitive awards collated by campus
• National Institutes of Health
• Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship 
• Rhodes Scholarship

This award honors biochemistry graduate students who consistently provide quality guidance and scientific training in mentoring undergraduate students in their research efforts and show evidence of quality, commitment, and innovation in teaching. This award is made possible through the generosity of Arnold E. and Catherine M. Denton.

Past Awardees

Kimberly Dickson – 2004
Michael D. Hobbs – 2004
Dipali G. Sashital – 2005
David W. Staple – 2005
Erik S. Underbakke – 2006
Jackie Ann Fretz – 2006
Ian A. Lewis – 2007
Edward L. Huttlin – 2007
Clayton D. Carlson – 2008
Michael P. Killoran – 2008
Matthew F. Copeland – 2011
Brittany N. Albaugh – 2011
Hannah Tuson – 2012
Ben Knowles – 2012
Basudeb Bhattacharyya – 2013
Rachel Kubiak – 2013
Angela Gruber – 2014
Kristen Dittenhaufer-Reed – 2014
Brendan Floyd – 2015
Tucker Carrocci – 2015
Rebecca Phillips – 2016
Ian Windsor – 2016
Michael Kelliher – 2017
Keren Turton – 2017
Kasia Dubiel – 2018
Sarah Hansen – 2018
Nathan Thomas – 2019
Evan Glasgow – 2019
Megan Dowdle – 2020
Harriet Saunders – 2020
Dana Dahhan – 2021
Dylan Plaskon – 2021
Aryel Clarke – 2022
Matthew Blackburn – 2022
Bianca Chavez – 2023

This award recognizes graduate or postdoctoral students who exemplify the spirit of Sigrid Leirmo. Leirmo received her Ph.D. from the Department of Biochemistry in 1989. She was widely acknowledged among her fellow students and colleagues as a promising researcher and enthusiastic friend and mentor.

Past Awardees

Andrew P. Hinck – 1993
Stephen DelCardayre´ – 1994
Ronda M. Allen – 1995
Laura C. McCary – 1996
John L. Mimikakis – 1997
Jenifer A. Miskowski – 1998
Lori A. Plum – 1999
Kevin P. Rice – 2000
Jasen E. Gestwicki – 2001
Kevin H. Mitchell – 2002
Michelle Soltero – 2003
David Bernstein – 2004
Liana B. Lamont – 2005
Christian D. Adams – 2006
Brad A. Hook – 2006
Christopher L. Warren – 2007
Anna K. Fuezery – 2008
Michael A. Goren – 2011
Kelly Hoadley – 2012
Amber Schuh – 2013
Emily Ruff – 2014
Raashi Sreenivasan – 2015
Kim Haupt – 2016
Tyler Stanage – 2017
Kate Henderson – 2018
Andrew Voter – 2019
Josephine Mitchell – 2020
Tina Lynch – 2021
Elizabeth Larson – 2022
Thomas Anderson – 2023

In the fall of every year, Biochemistry solicits nominations for Biochemistry funded graduate student fellowships. The fellowships typically fund a student’s stipend, fringe and tuition expenses for the following fiscal year.

The fellowships are available to graduate students in Biochemistry faculty labs and IPiB students in Biochemistry affiliate faculty labs who are beyond their first year of graduate study.

Students are not eligible if either 1) they have had three years of departmental support, or 2) they have exceeded five years of graduate study at the time of application.

The fellowship committee ranks the student nominations with a heavy emphasis on research accomplishment. GPA is considered a secondary criterion, but does give some weight to the overall scoring.

Nominations require the following:

• Letter of recommendation by major professor
• CV
• Research summary (1 page)
• Reprints of papers published, including abstracts of presentations at meetings
• Copy of a poster describing the student’s research (either a poster displayed at the most recent departmental poster session, or one given or to be given at a national meeting)
• GPA at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Year in program
• Expected degree date from UW–Madison