Cottrell Scholar Award

Eligibility

The award is open to early‑career tenure‑track faculty at U.S. or Canadian research universities or primarily undergraduate institutions. Applicants must hold primary or courtesy appointments in chemistry, physics, or astronomy departments offering bachelor’s or graduate degrees in the relevant discipline.

For the 2026 cycle, applicants must have started their first tenure‑track position anytime during calendar year 2023. Eligibility extensions may be granted for parental leave, medical circumstances, or other approved tenure clock delays. Please click here to submit a request for eligibility extension.

Summary

The Cottrell Scholar Award honors and helps develop exceptional teacher-scholars recognized by their scientific communities for the quality and innovation of their research and academic leadership. Awardees join a multigenerational community of scholar‑educators across the U.S. and Canada who contribute significant research and educational advancements.

Each three-year award provides $120,000 and may support both research and educational activities. No budget justification or budget pages are required. Funds may be used for most direct costs, including equipment, supplies, undergraduate and graduate salary/wages/stipends, graduate student tuition and fees, postdoctoral salaries, and travel to attend the annual Cottrell Scholar conference and other conferences/workshops.

Summer salary is allowed for faculty in non‑doctoral departments. Funds may not be used for indirect costs, academic‑year faculty salaries, routine administrative expenses, books/journals, visa costs, or construction/renovation.

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

RCSA has a new grant management system. Click here for instructions on submitting 2027 Cottrell Scholar Award proposals in the new system.