Jean Dreyfus Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions

The Jean Dreyfus Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions is a program established by the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation to enhance the educational experiences of undergraduate students in the chemical sciences. The Foundation, rooted in its commitment to the advancement of chemical sciences, supports this lectureship to facilitate interactions between undergraduates and notable researchers, enriching the academic and research environment of primarily undergraduate institutions across the United States. The program awards a total of $25,000 to successful applicants to fund two core components: the visit and lectures by a distinguished researcher in the chemical sciences, and summer research fellowships for two undergraduate students. The visiting researcher is required to deliver at least two lectures, with one lecture tailored for a broad public audience and the other(s) potentially more technical in nature. The scholar is expected to spend a minimum of two days at the host institution, actively engaging with both students and faculty to foster substantive academic interactions. Eligible applicants include departments in the chemical sciences at undergraduate institutions located within U.S. states, districts, and territories. These departments may offer Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees but not Ph.D. degrees in chemistry or chemical engineering. Each institution may submit only one application per year, and awardees must wait five years before reapplying. Reapplications are permitted for non-selected proposals, provided updates are included. Applications are judged based on several key factors: the notability and relevance of the proposed lecturer(s), a comprehensive visit schedule, alignment of the lecturer’s research with departmental interests, and the department’s ongoing scholarly activities. Selection is conducted by a panel of chemical science faculty and finalized by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, with announcements made by early November. The budget is segmented as follows: $2,500 for the lecturer’s honorarium, $5,000 for lecture-related costs (including travel and receptions), $11,000 for undergraduate summer research stipends and related expenses, $1,500 for research supplies, and $5,000 to support the principal investigator’s summer salary. Indirect costs and institutional overhead are not covered. Applications, submitted as a PDF via email, must include a nine-page document incorporating the online form, departmental overview, lecturer details and schedule, integration plan, student selection process, and a simple budget. An appendix with faculty bios, publication samples, and funding history is also required. Post-award, grantees must submit detailed reports on the lectureship and undergraduate research, including summaries, attendance, media, expenditures, and outcomes. Inquiries can be directed to programs@dreyfus.org or 212-753-1760.