Best Chemistry Grants in Kansas

Early-career, tenure-track chemistry faculty at degree-granting institutions in Kansas may be eligible for Alfred P Sloan Foundation Research Fellowships supporting fundamental research. These two-year, US $75,000 awards can cover staffing, lab expenses, equipment, professional travel, or summer salary for faculty based in the U.S. or Canada.

Kansas chemistry postdoctoral researchers and late-stage PhD students can access funding for innovative fundamental chemistry or chemical instrumentation projects through the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. Awards of US $224,000 - US $542,000 support two-year postdoctoral research at qualifying U.S. nonprofit institutions with strong chemical sciences mentorship and facilities.

American graduate students of Polish descent pursuing chemistry or related scientific fields, including those in Kansas, can receive US $1,000 - US $12,000 in tuition scholarships for full-time study. The Kosciuszko Foundation supports master’s and Ph.D. students at U.S. institutions and English schools of medicine in Poland across a wide range of majors.

Early-career, tenure-track chemistry faculty at U.S. institutions, including those in Kansas, can receive US $100,000 in unrestricted research funding to advance independent chemical sciences scholarship and education. With a mission to support outstanding research and teaching, the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation provides awards to nominees from Ph.D.-granting departments where research and undergraduate education are both central.

With a mission to promote children’s education, nonprofits and educational institutions in Kansas working in chemistry and related STEM fields can receive US $1,000 - US $25,000 from Fash Foundation. Funding supports arts and sciences, including chemistry, to enhance the health and education of children, primarily through higher education institutions but also across early learning and K–12 programs.

Environmental and conservation nonprofits in Kansas working on chemistry-related issues such as toxics, waste, clean water, or sustainable energy can apply for US $25,000 - US $75,000 from the Roy A Hunt Foundation. Funding supports multi-state or national projects involving education, applied research, outreach, and innovative solutions that influence private-sector environmental decisions.

Organizations planning chemistry or neuroscience-related congresses and events in Kansas can seek corporate sponsorship that provides Biogen with tangible benefits like exhibits or marketing visibility. Biogen Foundation offers support for initiatives across areas such as chemistry, pharmacology, and neurological diseases, with decisions based on topic alignment, 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 PIs in chemical biology at nominated research institutions, including those serving Kansas, can apply for Ono Pharma Foundation’s Ono Initiative Grant; awards up to US $1,035,000 for innovative, high-impact projects. Eligible applicants must hold an MD and/or PhD and be based at one of the listed universities or institutes.

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.