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Undergraduate Chemistry

Benkovic Summer Research Award

Stephen and Patricia Benkovic Summer Research Award in Chemistry

The Benkovic Summer Research Award in Chemistry provides financial support to undergraduate students conducting summer research at Penn State. The award is funded through a generous endowment established by Stephen and Patricia Benkovic. Professor Benkovic is the Evan Pugh University Professor and Eberly Chair in Chemistry who joined the department in 1965. For his groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of enzyme catalysis in complex biological systems, he was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences in 1985, received the National Medal of Science in 2009 and the National Academy of Science Award in Chemical Sciences in 2011, among many other honors and awards. 

The intent of the award is to enrich the undergraduate chemistry experience by providing research opportunities for the next generation of Penn State chemists and to stimulate a life-long passion for creative exploration.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you:

  • Are a chemistry major (having met all entrance-to-major requirements at the time of application)
  • Will be conducting summer 2026 research with a chemistry faculty member at University Park

Applicants are encouraged to also apply for the Erickson Discovery Grant and/or ECoS SURE.  We wish to support as many chemistry majors as possible, so recipients of the Erickson, SURE, or other college/Penn State award will be required to accept the other award.

Application

Your application will include:

  • Your name and Penn State email
  • Name of your summer research adviser (do not currently need to be working in the lab)
  • Resume
  • An unofficial transcript
  • A one-page description of your proposed research
  • A one-page statement explaining how this award connects to your educational and career goals
  • A letter of recommendation from the supervising faculty member.  The letter can be sent as a pdf attachment with the filename ApplicantLastName_Letter.pdf to Dr. Houck at jdh68@psu.edu by March 1.

How to Apply

Submit your materials using the online form here: 2026 Benkovic Summer Undergraduate Research Award – Fill out form
(You must be logged in with your Penn State account.)

Application Deadline: March 1, 2026


 Program Details

  • Program dates: May 26–July 31, 2026 (10 weeks)
  • Stipend: $5,000
  • Expectations for all awardees:
    • Attend scheduled professional development events during the summer program
    • Present your work in both a short talk and a poster at an ECoS/Penn State undergraduate research symposium (training provided!)
    • Participate in one Department of Chemistry recruitment event (e.g., Spend a Summer Day)

Please contact Dr. Joseph Houck (jdh68@psu.edu) with any questions.