Beckman Speaker and Conference Support Fund

The Foundation recognizes that in addition to being integral aspects of advancing science, organizing seminars and conferences, and presenting research accomplishments, provide critical opportunities to expand professional networks and establish new collaborations. In addition, research talks provide exposure to innovative science, promote leadership and communication skills, and enhance interactions between our Beckman awardees. These activities all come with travel and organizational costs that limit the number of opportunities that young scientists, in particular, can attend each year.

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Speaker and Conference Series program seeks to expand this availability by providing up to $3,000 in funding support for Beckman alumni (e.g., current and past Foundation grant awardees and Executive Committee members, specifically from the Beckman Scholars Program, Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship, Beckman Young Investigator, Beckman-Argyros Award, and Instrument Grants programs) to host a Beckman Family member (e.g., current/past awardees, Executive Committee Member, Institute Director, Science Advisory Council Member or Board of Directors Member) to participate in a seminar or conference that you are hosting at your Institution.

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation will choose a limited number of Speaker and Conference events to support, based on their relevance to the mission of the Foundation, campus, scientific and community impact, and the scope of the event.

Application should be made by the meeting organizer and fulfill the following requirements:

• Meeting organizer must be a current or past awardee or Executive Committee Member.
• Support will be provided for travel costs for a speaker who is a current/past awardee, Executive Committee Member, Beckman Institute Director, Science Advisory Council, or Board of Directors Member.
• Costs associated with hosting the event, such as, but not limited to, room rental, reception costs, food/beverage, printed materials, etc. are allowable.
• The meeting must address advancements in scientific research or issues impacting science.
• Funding will only be provided for one speaker per meeting.
• Meetings that have undergraduate students as the target audience will be given higher priority for funding.
• Registration to attend the event should be open to all, when possible.

In reviewing the seminar or conference proposal, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation (AMBF) will consider:

• Alignment with the Foundation’s mission to support young scientists and advance research within chemistry and the life sciences.
• Meeting all eligibility requirements.
• The uniqueness of the seminar or conference within the community (i.e., Is another similar event already available?).
• Is the content of the seminar or conference relevant to the community?
• Is there a clear overview of the seminar or conference topic?
• Is there a clear statement of the intended learning outcomes for the seminar or conference?
• Are the timelines appropriate?

To submit a request, send the following information and documents (word or PDF format) via email to Esther Devanney at: [email protected]

• Name of the meeting organizer, including your current or past Beckman Foundation Program award, current Institution, and updated contact information (phone, email, mailing address)
• Name and date of the planned event
• Name of the proposed speaker, their association to the Foundation, and if the speaker has confirmed their participation (or not) in the event
• Title of proposed talk (if the speaker is confirmed)
• Statement of purpose for the event
• Description of the anticipated event attendees (e.g., undergraduates, graduate students, general public, etc.) and anticipated number of attendees
• Amount of funding requested (up to $3,000) and supporting budget materials
• Contact information for the financial office or appropriate department that should receive the funds

Generative artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT or AI, are evolving into essential software in the researcher’s toolkit. Just as graphing and statistical software aid in data analysis and presentation, AI tools can assist authors in their work. The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports the use of these tools as supplementary resources when used in an ethical and responsible manner. Accountability lies with the human authors, who remain responsible for the proper application of AI and the critical review and reporting of its output. All awardees and applicants are expected to comply with best practice in research and publishing ethics, take full responsibility for any errors made by an AI tool, and are expected to cooperate with questions relating to the accuracy or integrity of any part of their work, including data analyses and representation.

Events that receive funding must:

• Include the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation (AMBF) logo on all publicity related to the meeting.
• Introduce the speaker as an awardee of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation and identify the program and years associated with their award and/or their title and relation to the Foundation (e.g., Executive Committee Member, Science Advisory Council Member, Board of Directors Member).
• Provide a subsequent write up of the event for use on social media by AMBF.

We encourage co-sponsored events. Proposers are encouraged to speak with departments and other units on camps as well as neighboring universities.

AMBF does not require the submittal of post-event expenditure reports or receipts. If the event is cancelled prior to expenditure of grant funds, please contact AMBF for instructions on how to proceed.

Requests for Funding are accepted throughout the year but must be submitted at least three months before the event.

Notification of Award: Generally, within 3-5 weeks of submittal
Funding Requests: Up to $3,000 per request

Fund: The Foundation will fund up to 20 requests per program year, not to exceed $60,000.

Payments will be made to: Nonprofit, U.S. Institutions via check or online payment portal.