The Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program supports the research and teaching careers of talented early-career faculty in the chemical sciences at primarily undergraduate institutions. The award, which requires an institutional nomination, is based on accomplishment in scholarly research with undergraduates, as well as a compelling commitment to teaching, and provides an unrestricted research grant of $75,000.
Eligibility
The Henry 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 master’s degree in the chemical sciences, including chemistry, biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering.
- In departments that do not grant a doctoral degree. A potential nominee is ineligible if there is active participation or substantial research productivity in a Ph.D. program of another department or institution, or in an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program.
- Hold a full-time tenure-line academic appointment focused on the chemical sciences.
- Are after the fourth and not after the twelfth years of their independent academic careers, and engaged in independent research and teaching primarily with undergraduates.
Institutions may submit only one Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award nomination annually. Renominations are accepted.
Each Campus may make only one nomination annually for the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program.
Selection
The Foundation seeks Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholars who, as independent faculty members, have demonstrated leadership in original scholarly research of outstanding quality, substantially carried out with undergraduates, as well as innovation in and dedication to undergraduate education.
Recommendations for awards are based upon evidence of outstanding educational efforts and the nominee’s scholarly research achievements with undergraduates, as assessed by a review panel of distinguished faculty in the chemical sciences. The three outside letters of support (see below for details) are of particular value to the reviewers. Other considered factors are: awards and honors, publication of research achievements in leading journals, success in attracting research funding, and service to the larger community in chemical education.
Letters of Support
- Three letters of support should be requested by the nominator and sent directly to the Foundation from individuals who can address the nominee’s capabilities and accomplishments as an independent faculty member.
- A letter from either the candidate’s Ph.D. advisor or a postdoctoral advisor is acceptable but should also discuss the nominee’s accomplishments as an independent investigator. One letter may be from the candidate’s home institution. Letters from a former advisor or the home institution will not be given the greatest weight.
Guidelines for Use of Funds
- The Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award provides a $75,000 unrestricted research grant to the Awardee.
- Of the total amount, $5,000 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.
- If the awardee leaves the institution, the transfer of the remaining funds requires prior Foundation approval.
Submit your notification using the button at the right to provide your contact information no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline. If interest exceeds the sponsor's limit the Limited Submissions Program will coordinate a downselect with the Campus.
Office of Foundation Relations is the designated institutional contact responsible for communicating with the Foundation. For questions concerning the application process or other foundation-related questions applicants should please contact Karen Kemirembe, Assistant Director, Foundation Relations (kuk195@psu.edu).