Encouraging ACS divisions to create innovative projects that serve members, encourage strategic planning and foster collaboration. The 32 ACS divisions offer awards to recognize excellence and stimulate interest in the many disciplines of chemistry. Find information about related awards, application procedures and deadlines on the sponsoring division’s website.

The AIC Student Award Program honors outstanding seniors, post-baccalaureate, and post-doctoral students majoring in chemistry, chemical engineering or biochemistry. The awards are given in recognition of a demonstrated ability, leadership, and professional promise. Candidates are chosen and nominated by their faculty members.

Mrs. Bonnie Laura Armantrout, who received her chemistry undergraduate degree back in 1938, left $25,000 to the department to help support young women in chemistry. This is a one-time contribution, which is not enough money to establish an endowment or provide for more than a one-year fellowship, therefore, the thought is to establish an annual award to be given to a deserving female, undergraduate student

Outstanding service as student Mentors in our Chemistry Advising Courses as selected by the departmental academic advising team.

We don’t want financial roadblocks to limit your exciting future in STEM. The College of Science at the University of Utah offers a wide range of scholarships for incoming undergraduate students to support and recognize academic achievement across all disciplines, including the College of Science Dean’s Scholarship, Promise Scholarships, the Joseph T. Crockett M.D. Memorial Scholarship, the Starfish Scholarship, and more. These awards recognize excellence and offer financial support to students with demonstrated financial need or exceptional potential. Through research opportunities and academic support, these scholarships reflect the College’s strong commitment to student success and inclusive excellence.

Each year, the Crocker Science House hosts twelve undergraduate students with a passion for the sciences. Students accepted into the Crocker Science House receive a scholarship to assist with housing expenses, making this opportunity accessible to a wide range of students.

The Ferdinand A. & Ruth Anderson Peterson Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students with financial need who are enrolled in advanced chemistry courses, in recognition of their academic dedication and pursuit of excellence in the field of chemistry. This endowment was established in 1997 by Ruth Anderson Peterson and Ferdinand A. Peterson for students in the Department of Chemistry. Ferdinand A. Peterson graduated with BS in Chemistry in 1923 and a MS in Chemistry in 1929.

The Gill Scholarship was established by the Gill family in memory of their son who passed away at a young age. It provides sustained financial support over four years. A commemorative bench outside the Chemistry building honors his memory.

Award winners from previous years:

2018 - Valeria Delgadillo

2024 - Nyrvanah Crockett

2025 - Alana Field

The Honors in Chemistry Awards recognize students who complete a University Honors Degree and Thesis. Chemistry is the highest per capita producer of Honors Graduates at the University.

The Kodak Educational Teaching Fellows award recognizes exceptional undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding teaching support, leadership, and a strong commitment to enhancing student learning within the sciences.

Educational Service Awards – Selected in consultation with the Faculty Advisors of the ACS Student Affiliates Chapter recognizes outstanding service and chemistry outreach activities.

LAYA F. KESNER AWARDS are funded annually by Rebecca Uhlig to honor the dedication to students she felt when taking General Chemistry Labs in our department taught by Professor Laya Kesner and are selected by the Chemistry Awards committee based on strong academic performance and service to the department by undergraduate students.

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Given annually to juniors majoring in chemistry. The department designates these awardees on the basis of their scholastic excellence and promise of success. Dr. Watters received his B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Utah in 1897, was a well-known inventor, and was a biographer of his close friend, Albert Einstein. The award consists of a cash stipend from a fund established by Dr. and Mrs. Watters.

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Established in memory of longtime faculty member Dr. Lloyd E. Malm, these awards recognize outstanding undergraduate students in first-year chemistry courses for their exceptional academic performance.

Roger Hayward, “Reproduced illustrations from Essentials of Chemistry in the Laboratory, by Harper Frantz and Lloyd Malm.,” (1923)

Learn More about Special Collections & Archives Research Center.

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Rozelle Scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic excellence and promise of success to students majoring in chemistry. Mr. Rozelle graduated from the department in 1952, passed away in 1961, and bequeathed a trust fund to the department for the purpose of establishing this award.

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This scholarship was established by Melvin Cannon Family in 2008, in the memory of Chemistry alum Melvin C. Cannon, to support University of Utah chemistry students. Melvin C. Cannon graduated with BS in Chemical Engineering in 1933. This award recognizes first-year undergraduate students in chemistry who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and strong potential for excellence in the field.

Paul C. and Darice F. Koo Scholarship is offered by the The University of Utah. This scholarship is for pursuing a Bachelors Degree, The Paul C. and Darice F. Koo Scholarship is given one-time to a maximum of 1 student each year. This scholarship awards a maximum of USD 1000 per student and is used to cover tuition. Under this scholarship some students get their full tuition fee waived. To be eligible for this scholarship: In English language proficiency, an applicant must have an overall TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum of 20 in each section.

The Phillips Senior Scholars awards recognize top graduating seniors and are funded by a gift from Phillips Petroleum.

Learn More about Phillips Petroleum.

The Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence is the Royal Society of Chemistry’s recognition program for university students in North America who have shown significant achievement in the chemical sciences. The award recipients are selected by their departments for demonstrating exceptional dedication, performance, and engagement in coursework and research.

Dr. Ryan DeLuca Scholarship for Chemistry, funded by David Allen Casarotto and Danielle DeLuca Casarotto through The Allen Foundation in 2023 in honor of Professor Ryan DeLuca. 

Thanks to a generous collective donation, the Starfish Award was created to support the retention of undocumented students (with or without DACA), students from mixed-status families, and allies. While all students are welcome to apply regardless of legal status, preference will be given to undocumented students.

The James M. Sugihara Scholarship – a permanent named scholarship – was established in 2009 in the Chemistry Department at the U. It provides financial support for an undergraduate who is studying chemistry and who is living on campus in the Crocker Science House located on Officers Circle in Fort Douglas.

Presented to undergraduate teaching assistants who demonstrate exceptional dedication to teaching, provide reliable and impactful support to students, and consistently go above and beyond in contributing to the success of the chemistry program.

The Ronald and Eileen Ragsdale Chemistry Scholarship Endowment was established in 2014 and will provide funds each year to assist both chemistry and chemical education students with their academic expenses. As a unique component of this scholarship, recipients must design, carry out, and report on a scholarly research project under the guidance of a faculty member. This scholarship program provides a unique experience for chemistry majors, introducing them to independent research at an early stage in their careers.

Curie Club was founded to help ensure that all scientists in the Department of Chemistry are given the opportunity to meet other students and build a community. Curie Club hosts stimulating lectures, career development support, and lively debates to support and inspire the next generation of scientists.

Thanks to the generous contributions of the following donors, the Office of Undergraduate Research is able to offer Undergraduate Research Scholarships to select student researchers.

Fall Scholarships: Dee Foundation, UASAL Scholarship, and Early Exploration Scholars

Spring Scholarships: Francis Family and Parent Fund

Awarded to top students in the Honors General Chemistry Sequence, based on the recommendation of the faculty teaching in that series. Established in recognition of Professor Emeritus Bill Breckenridge, who taught the Honors General Chemistry course for many years.

The Walter D. & Grace G. Bonner Memorial Awards recognize top graduating majors in the Department of Chemistry. Established in memory of Professor Walter D. Bonner, former chair of the department, these awards honor academic excellence and outstanding achievement.

Learn more about Professor Walter D. Bonner.

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The Wilkes Scholars Program (WSP) enables outstanding undergraduate students to explore pressing climate challenges facing our state, region, and planet through transformative research. Wilkes Scholars will work with a mentor to advance research related to the mission of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy — catalyzing innovative science and solutions to address climate change.