Cottrell Scholar

The Cottrell Scholar (CS) program champions the very best early career teacher-scholars in chemistry, physics and astronomy by providing significant discretionary awards for research. Nurturing an interdisciplinary community of outstanding scientific/academic leaders, the CS program fosters synergy among faculty at major American research universities and primarily undergraduate institutions. Cottrell Scholars engage in an annual networking event, providing them an opportunity to share insights and expertise through the Cottrell Scholar Collaborative. Outstanding candidates are admitted to the ranks of Cottrell Scholars through a stringent peer-review process based on their innovative research proposals and education programs. As Scholars rise to academic leadership roles, several levels of competitive funding are available to assist them. Post-tenure Cottrell Scholars may compete for the prestigious FRED Award supporting early stage, potentially transformative research.

The Cottrell Scholar program fosters an environment for listening and considering new ideas from a diverse group, with respect for all participants without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or any other aspect of how we identify ourselves other than as fellow scientists.