The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program supports the research and teaching careers of talented early career faculty in the chemical sciences. The Award, which requires an institutional nomination, is based on an independent body of scholarship attained in the early years of their appointment (see below), and a demonstrated commitment to education, signaling the promise of continuing outstanding contributions to both research and teaching. The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award provides an unrestricted research grant of $100,000.
Eligibility
The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program is open to faculty who meet all of the following criteria:
- From academic institutions in the States, Districts, and Territories of the United States of America that grant a bachelor’s or higher degree in the chemical sciences, including chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering.
- Hold a full-time tenure-track academic appointment focused on the chemical sciences.
- Normally expected to have been appointed no earlier than mid-year 2018.
- From Ph.D. granting departments in which scholarly research is a principal activity and undergraduate education is an important component.
Institutions may submit only one Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award nomination annually. Renominations are accepted.
Selection
The Foundation seeks Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholars who, as independent faculty members, demonstrate leadership in original scholarly research of outstanding quality, as well as innovation in and dedication to education.
Recommendations for awards are based upon compelling evidence that the nominee’s independent scholarly research has led to important advances in the chemical sciences, and will continue to do so. The three outside letters of support (see below for details) are of particular value to the reviewers in this regard. Other considered factors are: awards and honors, publication of research achievements in leading journals, success in attracting research funding, and dedication and contributions to education in the chemical sciences, particularly with respect to undergraduates and the larger community.
The nominee’s achievements are assessed by a review panel of distinguished faculty in the chemical sciences. The letters of recommendation should address the nominee’s research accomplishments as an independent faculty member.
Guidelines for Use of Funds
- The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award provides a $100,000 unrestricted research grant to the Awardee.
- Of the total amount, $7,500 may be allocated for departmental expenses associated with research and education.
- Charges associated with indirect costs or institutional overhead are not allowed.
- Defrayal of academic-year salary is not permitted. Summer salary is allowed.
- Funds are normally expended over a period of five years.
See the Dreyfus Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions.
Interested applicants should upload the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: [Last name]_DreyfusTeacher_2024) no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
- Cover Page to include:
- Name, title, departmental affiliation(s) of the nominee
- Names and affiliations of individuals who will provide letters of support (Letters not needed for internal downselect)
- Summary description of the nominee’s research accomplishments as an independent faculty member, and a description of research plans (limited to five pages, including references, with use of at least one graphic encouraged)
- A statement that illustrates the nominee’s efforts in undergraduate education in the chemical sciences (limited to two pages)
- Email from Department Head or institutional representative indicating their commitment to provide a letter of nomination if selected in the internal selection (Letter not needed for internal downselect)
- CV (limited to four pages), which includes a list of publications in which the corresponding author and undergraduate coauthors are clearly identified. Research support should be indicated.
- Budget (no more than one page) describing how award funds are anticipated to be used
Should you be a Penn State nominee, you will be required to send three letters of support directly to The Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation from individuals who know and address your accomplishments as an independent faculty member. None of these letters may be from the nominating institution. No more than one letter may be from a former mentor. (These letters are NOT required for the Penn State downselect competition.)
Formatting Guidelines:
- Font/size: no smaller than 11 pt.
- Printable margins (1.0” (top, bottom, left and right) recommended)
- Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
The Office of Foundation Relations at University Park is the designated contact with The Dreyfus Foundation and is also available to help you navigate the process and respond to questions regarding the Foundation. Questions or clarifications should be directed to Karen Kemirembe, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Foundation Relations (kuk195@psu.edu) for additional support.