Alvin and RosaLee Sarachek Predoctoral Honors Fellowship and Travel Awards in Molecular Biology

The Sarachek Predoctoral Honors Fellowship provides an award of $19,000 to a graduate student enrolled in a PhD program at Kansas State University. The award is intended to recognize exceptional achievement in scholastics and research. Students must show evidence of effective communication of research results through publications in leading journals and presentations at national and international meetings. In addition to the fellowship, up to two Sarachek Scientific Travel Awards of $1,500 each may be presented annually.

Learn about the fellowship donors, Al and Rosalee Sarachek

Meet fellowship recipients

Eligibility

In order to be eligible, a student must have completed preliminary exams, been admitted to candidacy, and their research must rely significantly on one or more contemporary molecular biological techniques. Doctoral students in their last year are strongly encouraged to self-nominate or be nominated by a faculty member. Previous fellowship recipients are not eligible to apply for the fellowship a second time or to apply for a travel award. Previous travel award winners may apply for the fellowship but not for a second travel award.

Nomination

Nomination process for 2024 is complete. We will accept nominations again in January 2025.

Instructions

The application may be submitted by students or by K-State faculty by completing the online application form.

The following items must be uploaded in the application form as PDF documents. Please include the applicant's name and description of the document in the file name (e.g., WillieWildcatMPLetter).

  1. Curriculum vita
    • Vita should include academic history, publications, presentations, awards and honors, professional service, and professional experience.
  2. K-State transcript or copy of academic history from KSIS
  3. Two letters of recommendation
    • The student’s major professor and one additional K-State faculty member who is familiar with the student’s research should submit letters of recommendation. Please do not submit more than two letters.
    • Those providing support letters are asked to comment on the suitability of candidate. The letters should summarize the student’s qualifications, highlight exceptional achievements, describe potential as a scientist, and indicate why the student deserves the fellowship.
    • Letters should be limited to two pages.

Selection of Recipients

Recipients will be selected by an inter-disciplinary committee of research faculty. Funds shall be awarded without restriction to race, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or receipt of financial aid or other awards.

Use of Awards

Fellowship funds may be expended at the recipient’s discretion for his or her dissertation, future research, travel, planning postdoctoral moves, or other purposes. The fellowship is not intended to provide funds for current research, but is instead intended to assist with the recipient’s transition to the next stage of his or her career beyond the Ph.D. Travel award funds may only be used for travel as described in application.

Contact information

Please direct questions about the Sarachek Fellowship to sarachek@ksu.edu.