The Department of Chemistry honors its outstanding undergraduates with annual scholarships and awards. Chemistry majors are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships.

Important deadlines

The deadline for spring awards is April 15.

Scholarship opportunities for continuing undergraduates

The E. David Cater Scholarship is an award given to a chemistry major who demonstrates outstanding academic performance and research accomplishments. Preference is given to students who intend to become high school chemistry teachers. One or more scholarships are awarded annually in the range of $1000. The award can be received multiple times, contingent upon maintained eligibility and availability of funding. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

  • Be a chemistry major in your sophomore, junior, or senior year
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Have a minimum registration of 12 semester hours

The Department of Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Award is an annual scholarship awarded to a deserving student conducting full-time summer research in the Department of Chemistry. One scholarship will be awarded annually in the range of $5000. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

  • Be a full-time, degree-seeking student at the University of Iowa for the semester prior to and after the award
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Be willing to devote full time to the program (40 hours per week) for eight weeks—not taking classes, gainfully employed, or receiving other funding to conduct research
  • Be nominated by the Department of Chemistry faculty member with whom they will conduct research
  • Register for 0 s.h. of Undergraduate Research (CHEM:3994) during the award period

To apply

To apply for any of these scholarships, please submit the following materials directly to chem-awards@uiowa.edu by the deadline:

  • A concise description of your academic and research accomplishments, a list of current scholarships, and a description of your career goals (2 pages maximum)
  • A letter of recommendation from your research advisor and/or a Chemistry professor
  • Academic transcripts from all undergraduate institutions

The final decision for award of the scholarships will be made by the Undergraduate Awards Committee and the Chair of the Department of Chemistry.

Award winners will be honored at the annual Chemistry Appreciation Night in May.

Questions about scholarships and the application process should be directed to chem-awards@uiowa.edu.

Departmental awards

The following are competitive awards based on academic achievement and are given annually during the Chemistry Appreciation Night. 

To qualify, students must be nominated by a faculty member.

  • American Institute of Chemists Award 
  • American Chemical Society Division of Physical Chemistry Award
  • American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry Award 
  • American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry Award 
  • American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry Award 
  • CRC Freshman Chemistry Award 
  • Chemistry Alumni Award for Sophomores 
  • Chemistry Alumni Award for Juniors 
  • Chemistry Alumni Award for Seniors 
  • Kenneth Sando Undergraduate Scholarship 
  • Merck Index Award 
  • Viksnins, Harris & Padys Poster Awards 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences scholarships

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also awards scholarships to students continuing coursework in a major within the college. Some scholarships are open to all liberal arts and sciences students and others are for select liberal arts and sciences majors.