Best Chemistry Grants in Maine

Early-career, tenure-track chemistry faculty at degree-granting institutions in Maine and across the U.S. or Canada can apply for Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s two-year research fellowships. Focused on fundamental research, these US $75,000 awards support expenses like staffing, travel, lab costs, equipment, or summer salary for promising scientists.

Maine-based postdoctoral researchers and late-stage PhD students in chemistry seeking support for fundamental chemical sciences or chemical instrumentation projects can access funding through the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, with awards ranging from US $224,000 - US $542,000. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients working with a qualified U.S. nonprofit institution.

With a mission to promote U.S.–Poland educational exchange, Kosciuszko Foundation provides American graduate students of Polish descent with tuition scholarships for full-time master’s and Ph.D. studies. Awards of US $1,000 - US $12,000 support all fields, including chemistry, at accredited U.S. institutions and English schools of medicine in Poland; Maine residents may be eligible.

Early-career chemistry and chemical sciences faculty at U.S. bachelor’s- or higher-degree institutions, including those in Maine, can receive unrestricted research support through this program. With a mission to advance chemical research and education, the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation provides US $100,000 to nominated teacher-scholars for research and related departmental needs.

Educational institutions and programs advancing chemistry and related STEM fields for children can apply for US $1,000 - US $25,000 to support higher education and youth-focused initiatives, primarily in Tarrant County, Texas. With a mission to promote children’s education in the arts and sciences, Fash Foundation may also consider eligible projects serving students beyond its primary area, including Maine.

Environmental and conservation nonprofits in Maine working on multi-state or national initiatives can apply for Roy A Hunt Foundation’s Environment Initiative Grants, awarding US $25,000 - US $75,000 for project-based work. Funding supports efforts in climate and energy, toxics and waste, and clean water, including education, outreach, applied research, and policy-related innovations that may involve chemistry-focused strategies.

Organizations planning chemistry or related biomedical congresses, events, or initiatives in Maine can seek corporate sponsorship that provides Biogen Foundation with tangible benefits like recognition or marketing opportunities. Biogen considers a wide range of disease and neuroscience areas, and evaluates requests based on funding availability, alignment with interests, event details, and geographic location.

The Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (K25) aims to engage skilled professionals in NIH-relevant research, enhancing their expertise in addressing health-related issues. This award supports individuals with backgrounds in quantitative sciences and engineering, providing them with dedicated time for supervised research and study. Key application deadlines span from June 2024 to February 2027, emphasizing the program's commitment to fostering innovative research in health and disease.

Young and mid‑career MD/PhD principal investigators in chemical biology at nominated research institutions, including those serving Maine, can apply for Ono Pharma Foundation’s Ono Initiative, with awards up to US $1,035,000 over three years. Funding supports innovative chemistry‑related projects at the chemistry–biology interface that may lead to breakthrough treatment solutions for patients.

Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation

The Foundation was established in September 1977 by Dr. Arnold O. and Mrs. Mabel Beckman to give back to the scientific community.

“The mission of the Foundation is to support leading edge research, in the fields of chemistry and life sciences, broadly interpreted, and particularly to foster the invention of methods, instruments, and materials that open up new avenues of research and application in these sciences and related disciplines. My preference is to favor young investigators, new ideas, and a variety of projects rather than fund large, established ones of long duration.”

Current Foundation Initiatives

Today, the Foundation continues according to the vision laid out by Dr. and Mrs. Beckman:

• Supporting Young Scientists: through our annual grant programs, focused on the most promising young scientists
• Community Support activities: that promote science education and excellence in our local community
• Streamlined operations: so that we don't "spend money to give money away"

"Beckman Family" Awardee Community Support Grants

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation’s "Beckman Family" Awardee Community Support Grants are open to all current and former Foundation grant awardees and Executive Committee members, specifically from the Beckman Scholars Program, Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellowship, Beckman Young Investigator, and Instrument Grants programs.

As a current or former Beckman awardee or Executive Committee member, if you are actively engaged as a volunteer or Board member in a youth STEM or STEAM organization in your local area, you may apply to this program for funding for a particular project with that organization.

Funding Priorities

Projects should be aligned with the Foundation’s aim of “supporting young scientists today for tomorrow’s breakthrough discoveries” and oriented toward achieving positive outcomes in at least one of the Foundation’s current funding priorities:

• Engaging youth in hands-on science and math activities to encourage curiosity and student-driven exploration and learning.
• Using technology to engage youth in STEM/STEAM.
• Promoting the Beckmans’ legacy of technology innovation and leadership amongst youth.

In addition, the following considerations should be addressed in a proposal for funding:

• Where possible, the Foundation’s contribution to a project or activity should help to build capacity within the nonprofit organization to continue the activity beyond the one-time grant.
• The Awardee/Executive Committee member should discuss how the program will increase access to STEM/STEAM opportunities for the target audience.
• The costs associated with the request should relate to a stand-alone STEM/STEAM project, event, or activity and not part of a broader program, event, or target audience outside the Awardee’s or Executive Committee member's local area.
• Youth registration to participate in the STEM/STEAM project, event, or activity should be open to all in the local area, when possible.

Process & Timeline

Grant funds are directly issued to the organization by the Foundation and include for acknowledgement an indication that the gift was made because their volunteer or Board member is a Beckman Awardee or Executive Committee member.

Requests must be submitted by the Beckman Awardee on behalf of a U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3), or equivalent, organization exclusively serving youth in their local community. As a matter of policy, the Foundation does not provide grants to non-U.S. organizations or institutions. This program defines the terms “youth” and “youths” as individual(s) 17 years of age or younger.