Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Trust Fund

The Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Trust, established in 2008 through the will of Gail McKnight Beckman, is managed by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as the trustee. The award honors Dr. Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman, a pioneering educator and psychologist, who was among the first female psychology professors at Columbia University and later taught at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Beckman was a prolific author and a strong advocate for women’s advancement in academia. Inspired by her mother’s legacy, Gail McKnight Beckman created the award to recognize outstanding educators who have inspired their students to contribute significantly to their communities. The Beckman Award is a one-time, discretionary cash award granted to current or former academic faculty members at U.S.-based colleges, universities, community colleges, junior colleges, or technical schools. The nominees must have directly inspired former students to create organizations or establish enduring concepts, procedures, or movements that have demonstrably benefited society. Preference is given to educators in the fields of psychology, medicine, or law. The award is not a scholarship or institutional grant, and recipients may use the funds at their discretion; the award is considered taxable income. The application process involves the submission of a Nomination Application Package via email in a single PDF file, no later than June 15 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time each year. The subject line of the email must read “Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Nomination Application Package,” and no faxed or mailed applications will be accepted. The package must include a completed and signed Nomination Application Form, an optional cover letter, two narrative parts from a former student detailing the nominee’s impact and the community benefit, one letter of support from an impacted individual, and one piece of supporting material about the student’s initiative. All forms must be typed and physically signed (no electronic signatures). Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. Nominees must be teachers who inspired students while serving in an academic role in an eligible U.S.-based educational institution. Past recipients of the award are ineligible for re-nomination. Any individual can submit a nomination. Award decisions are made by the Trust's Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from Wells Fargo, Columbia University, the American Psychological Association, and Bryn Mawr College. The program areas of the award include education and public/society benefit, and it is available across all U.S. states. Since its inception in 2010, the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Trust has distributed over $3.5 million to 148 professors. Notable past recipients include professionals from fields such as law, psychology, medicine, and social work, and the award continues to highlight impactful educational mentorship and societal contribution. Contact information for submission and inquiries is as follows: Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award Trust, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Trustee, Philanthropic Services, MAC G0141-041, 100 Terminus Building, 3280 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30305. Email submissions and inquiries should be sent to grantadministration@wellsfargo.com. For additional support, applicants can also contact 1-888-235-4351.