Biochemistry Awards and Funding
The Department of Biochemistry is proud to offer its undergraduate biochemistry majors several award and funding opportunities. Read about our different programs and awards below. Students who are eligible may apply for all departmental scholarships, but will only be awarded one per academic year.
Many University of Wisconsin–Madison opportunities are available through WiSH, the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub where students submit applications. Students who are awarded other University of Wisconsin-Madison Scholarships can be supplemented by one of the Biochemistry Scholarships, which are available via the DocuSign links below.
Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Award
Mary Shine Peterson Undergraduate Award | University of Wisconsin Scholarships | National Scholarships
Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Award
This award aids biochemistry undergraduates in gaining focused, full-time research experience early in their academic careers. Award amount is $4,000. Link to Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Award via DocuSign.
Program Outline
- Work in a lab at UW–Madison full-time (equivalent of 30-40 hours/week over eight weeks) during the summer following receipt of the award
- Submit a research report of approximately 500 to 1,000 words upon completion of research (no later than the first day of class of the fall term)
Requirements
- Must be an enrolled undergraduate for the following fall semester and be a declared biochemistry major
- Submit a quality research proposal, communicate originality and intellectual significance of research, and possess excellent academic achievements
- Students may not accept other research funding or awards for use during the summer in which they will receive the biochemistry summer research award. If a student receives a Hilldale award, the Hilldale work (i.e. registration for the corresponding credits of directed study/senior thesis) must be performed during the academic year, so that the biochemistry award can be utilized for the summer research project. If a student chooses to accept a non-biochemistry summer award, they may not move their biochemistry award to a different term/semester but rather must choose one award or the other.
- Students can apply via DocuSign in December each year. The application will include the following:
- Research/project proposal: should be no more than five double-spaced pages with at least one inch margins and at least 11-point font. Abstract and references are included in the five-page limit. Proposals should contain the following: Abstract (200 words or less, may be single-spaced), Background and Significance (literature review), Methods (plans for data collection and analysis), and References (may be single spaced).
- Personal statement: a one-page summary of personal interests, career goals, and previous lab experience.
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation from the faculty mentor supervising the student’s project. Letter must outline approximately the number of weeks/hours per week the student will be engaged in research and the significance of the project. Letters must be requested and submitted via DocuSign.
- If the student is unable to access or having trouble with the online application, please contact biochemmicrobio-advisor@wisc.edu.
- Deadline is February 1, 2023 and notification of award status is in late March.
Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Awards are generously supported by:
- Gilboe Family Memorial Scholarship Fund
- E. W. Hopkins Fund
- Carl Krieger Memorial Fellowship Fund
- Floyd C. McIntire Biochemistry Award Fund
- Eric Bey and Amanda Boley
- Henry A. Lardy Undergraduate Research Fund
- Marc A.T. Muskavitch Undergraduate Research Fund
- Jack Gorski Fund
- Ezra L. Totton Scholarship in Biochemistry
Mary Shine Peterson Undergraduate Award
This prestigious undergraduate award is designed to recognize 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-relevant activities during the summer session before their senior year and/or during their senior year. Relevant activities for support include: 1) conducting faculty-advised research in a biochemistry-oriented laboratory on campus or overseas, 2) traveling overseas to participate in a global health program, and/or 3) traveling to a scientific meeting to present a research-oriented poster or paper.
Mary Shine Peterson awardees will be chosen annually, depending on the pool of undergraduate applicants and the availability of funds. Award winners will be announced in March of that year. The award amount is up to $5,000 per awardee. Link to Mary Shine Peterson Award via DocuSign.
Program Outline
- Prior to graduation, awardees are required to submit a written report (500 to 1,000 words); the report must be approved by the student’s research or program supervisor. The report must describe how the Peterson Award enhanced and fostered the student’s training in the field of biochemistry. The report deadline is the last day of classes in which the student is enrolled at UW–Madison.
Requirements
- Applicant’s declared major must be biochemistry and intend to graduate in the academic year following the year in which the application is due.
- Applicant has a cumulative GPA ≥ 3.5 after the end of the fall before applying.
- Applicant has completed at least one biochemistry course at the level of 500 or higher.
- NOTE: Preference will be given to applicants with at least one year of laboratory research experience.
- Students can apply via DocuSign starting in December each year. Application deadline is February 1 of the year prior to their senior year, with notification of award status in March. Applications will include:
- List of lab experiences with dates and other notable extra-curricular activities, including participation in international programs.
- Personal statement (describe 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 scientific career). The personal statement is limited to 1 page (11-point type or larger, 0.8 inch margins).
- Curriculum vita or resume.
- Grade transcripts from all college coursework.
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty. For those proposing research on campus, one letter must be from the faculty member in whose lab research will be done.
- A copy of any co-authored papers.
University of Wisconsin Scholarships
Undergrad Academic Awards
- Hilldale Scholarship - Wisconsin/Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowships provide support for collaborative research between undergraduate students and faculty or instructional academic staff members. Fellowships 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.
- Holstrom Scholarship - Holstrom Environmental Scholarships 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 faculty/staff research advisor receives $500 to help offset research costs. Approximately 15 awards are available.
- Jack Gorski Scholarship - Awarded to freshmen and sophomores in CALS majoring in Biochemistry, Dairy Science, or Animal Science. Students must be eligible for work-study. Preference is given to students who come from high schools with less than 1,000 student enrollments.
- 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 either Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics or Nutritional Science and will be based on merit and financial need.
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