Scholarships and Funded Support

Upcoming Deadline for Funded Opportunity

The KURE Summer Bridge Program (SBP) is 1st- or 2nd-year students majoring in science or math at CSULB or for high school students who are planning to enroll in a science or math major at CSULB. Participating students will be part of a team conducting research on environmental toxins that are common in household items or products.

Deadline to apply is May 19, 2025.

The following opportunities exist for students in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department to receive scholarships and other funded support.

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Scholarships

As a continuing chemistry or biochemistry student, you may be eligible for a number of scholarship opportunities. These scholarships are applied to through the BeachScholarships system, the centralized database of scholarship opportunities at California State University, Long Beach.

BeachScholarships deadline is March 11, 2025.

After submitting the general application, you will automatically be considered for dozens of scholarships! Consideration is based on eligibility criteria noted in the scholarship description.

A small number of scholarships also require supplemental information or documentation in addition to the general application. If you meet the criteria for these scholarships, you will be asked to provide additional documentation when you complete the general application.

TIP: Use the "Show Filters" button at the top right of BeachScholarships and select "Chemistry and Biochemistry" in the "Scopes" field to see relevant scholarship opportunities.

The following scholarships are typically available in early spring. Please see individual scholarships for eligibility criteria. Students may be eligible for more scholarships than are listed here.

Dr. Dot Goldish Endowed Scholarship

Apply through BeachScholarships.

Dr. Dot Goldish Endowed Scholarship, established in 2023, is to provide to scholarship support to undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry students, and to honor the leadership, mentorship, and service of Dr. Dot Goldish, one of the first two female professors of chemistry at CSULB.

See Dr. Dot Goldish Endowed Scholarship for eligibility criteria.

Kenneth L. Marsi Endowed Scholarship

Apply through BeachScholarships.

This scholarship began in 1996 when Dr. Marsi retired as Chair of the department after 21 years of service. A teacher-scholar, Dr. Marsi twice earned the Mayfield Outstanding Professor Award by vote of the students at the college. He was the CSULB Outstanding Professor in 1984 and the CSU System Outstanding Professor in 1985. This award is given to an outstanding junior or senior majoring in chemistry or biochemistry.

See Kenneth L. Marsi Endowed Scholarship for eligibility criteria.

Leslie K. Wynston Endowed Award in Biochemistry

Apply through BeachScholarships.

Dr. Wynston was a biochemistry professor in our department from 1965-1998. He served as Chair of the Pre-Professions Health Advisory Committee for many years and was active in both the Western and National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. The award recognizes an outstanding Biochemistry major who is planning to enter a health–related professional school the following year.

See Leslie K. Wynston Endowed Award in Biochemistry for eligibility criteria.

McAbee-Overstreet Research Scholarship

Apply through BeachScholarships.

The McAbee-Overstreet Research Scholarship was established in 2008 from an endowment made to the department by Dr. Cathie Overstreet, a former MS Biochemistry student with Dr. Douglas McAbee from 2000-2003. The scholarship recognizes a graduate student in the M.S. Chemistry or M.S. Biochemistry program for excellence in scholarship and strong commitment to research in chemistry or biochemistry.

See McAbee-Overstreet Research Scholarship for eligibility criteria.

Monahan Chemistry Research Endowment

Apply through BeachScholarships.

This award was established through a bequest of Dr. Michael Monahan, an alumnus of our department who received his B.S. in Chemistry in 1963. After receiving his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1968 he joined the Salk Institute and was subsequently a Senior Research Scientist with Beckman Instruments. Dr. Monahan was founder and President of California Medicinal Chemistry Corporation and a member of our faculty during the period 1985-1987. This competitive award is presented to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student in chemistry or biochemistry to support summer research.

See Monahan Chemistry Research Endowment for eligibility criteria.

Robert B. Henderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Apply through BeachScholarships.

Dr. Henderson was one of the founding faculty of our department. He was a distinguished scientist and a teacher of organic and general chemistry (1955-1982). Dr. Henderson also served as Chairman of Physical Sciences and as Associate Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. This award is given to a student best exemplifying Dr. Henderson's scholarship and commitment to the profession of chemistry and who plans to enter a Ph.D. program.

See Robert B. Henderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship for eligibility criteria.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

The following scholarships may have a different deadline from typical BeachScholarships opportunities, or may have a special application process.

METRIC Scholarship Program

Mentored Excellence Toward Research and Industry Careers (METRIC and METRIC 2) students receive need-based scholarships and participate in activities designed to facilitate their scholastic and professional development and to prepare them for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. See METRIC Scholarship Program for additional information about the program.

Financial Aid and Scholarships Office

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office is the official hub for scholarship information at CSULB. The office collects, organizes, and distributes information on hundreds of external scholarships as well as administers university scholarships for the campus. Explore CSULB Scholarships.

Summer Research Assistantships

Summer Research Assistantships are awarded to students seeking opportunities to pursue paid mentored research opportunities with faculty in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.

Application period has closed.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Demonstrated merit and strong potential to carry out research in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.
  • Continuing graduate or undergraduate student with planned enrollment for Fall 2025 semester.
  • Research plan approved and signed by faculty research mentor.

Note: summer research assistantships are paid employment and subject to state and federal taxes. Opportunities for employment are competitive and will be awarded following committee review.

The application above includes the following assistantships in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department:

  • Leslie K. Wynston Summer Research Assistantship
  • John H. Stern Summer Research Assistantship
  • Dr. Roger A. Acey Endowed Summer Research Assistantship

Leslie K. Wynston Summer Research Assistantship

The Leslie K. Wynston Faculty-Mentored Summer Research Student Assistantship Award was established in 2022 from an endowment made by a generous gift of the estate of Leslie K. Wynston. Dr. Wynston was a biochemistry professor in our department from 1965-1998, and served as Chair of the Pre-Professions Health Advisory Committee for many years. Dr. Wynston was active in both the Western and National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions. The award is to support faculty-mentored summer research.

John H. Stern Summer Research Assistantship

Dr. Stern was a member of our faculty from 1958-1987 and a distinguished teacher of physical and general chemistry. He was internationally known for his work in solution thermodynamics and as an author of many publications in that field. Several of his research students have become college and university professors through his influence and example. The award is to support faculty-mentored summer research.

Funded Research Programs

The following student research programs may offer stipends, provide tuition support, cover the costs of travel and attendance to conferences, or offer other funded support for CSULB students. Many programs have a joint application with other similar programs. Please see the individual programs for more details.

  • CSULB MD Alumni Research Program is funded by a CSULB MD Alum, with the goal of supporting undergraduate students who plan to enter and succeed in medical school programs.
  • Doctoral Diversity Initiative (DDI) partners with UCSD to broaden participation of students successfully completing Ph.D. programs and entering leadership positions in academia in the field of materials science. Available to CSULB undergraduate students. Funded by the UC Chancellor's Office.
  • KURE Summer Bridge Program (SBP) is 1st- or 2nd-year students majoring in science or math at CSULB or for high school students who are planning to enroll in a science or math major at CSULB. Participating students will be part of a team conducting research on environmental toxins that are common in household items or products.

On-Campus Funding

The Graduate Center maintains a list of on-campus funding opportunities. Most of the opportunities are aimed at graduate students, but a few are also available to undergraduate students.