The Welch Foundation, based in Houston, Texas

Texas

Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...

, is one of the United States' oldest and largest private funding sources for chemistry researchers. It is a non-profit organization named for Robert Alonzo Welch, an industrialist whose will provided the funds to set up the foundation, along with scholarships, endowments, and funding for chemical research. Since its founding in 1954, the organization has contributed to the advancement of chemistry through research grants, departmental programs, endowed chairs, visiting lectureships, scholarships, and other special projects at educational institutions in Texas. The foundation hosts an annual chemical research conference in Houston that attracts leading chemists.

Grants, scholarships, endowments, and awards

• The Welch Award in chemistry, currently a $300,000 award; nominations are due February 1 each year
• The Norman Hackerman
  Norman Hackerman
  Norman Hackerman was an American chemist, internationally known as an expert in metal corrosion, and a former president of both the University of Texas at Austin and Rice University ....
  
   award in chemical research, currently a $100,000 award, which recognizes the work of young researchers in Texas.
• The Robert A. Welch TILF (Texas Interscholastic League Foundation) Scholarship for students who participated in the University Interscholastic League
  University Interscholastic League
  The University Interscholastic League is an organization that creates rules for and administers almost all athletic, music, and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in the American state of Texas....
  
   and who wish to pursue a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering
  Chemical engineering
  Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
  
  , or biochemistry
  Biochemistry
  Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
  
  . Currently $14,000 per student.
• Research Grants support fundamental chemical research at universities, colleges, or other educational institutions within the state of Texas.
• Departmental Grants support chemical research by members of the chemistry department faculty at educational institutions in Texas.
• Endowed Chairs provide a faculty position for an eminent scientist. To be considered for an endowed chair, a Texas education institution must have a Ph.D. program in chemistry.

Past Welch Award recipients

Year	Recipient	Rationale
1972	Karl August Folkers Karl August Folkers Karl August Folkers was an American biochemist, working at Merck, and best known for his role in the isolation of vitamin B12. He received the Perkin Medal in 1960 and the Priestley Medal in 1986.-External links:... , The University of Texas at Austin	For his basic research in the area of life sciences.
1974	Albert Eschenmoser Albert Eschenmoser Albert Eschenmoser is a Swiss chemist working at the ETH Zurich and The Scripps Research Institute.His work together with Lavoslav Ružička on terpenes and the postulation of squalene cyclization to form lanosterol improved the insight into steroid biosynthesis.In the early 1960s, Eschenmoser began... , Swiss Federal Institute of Technology	For his profound and highly creative contributions to synthetic chemistry.
1976	Neil Bartlett, University of California, Berkeley	For his synthesis of chemical compounds of noble gases and the consequent opening of broad new fields of research in inorganic chemistry.
1978	Edgar Bright Wilson, Harvard University	For his pioneering theoretical and experimental contributions to molecular structure.
1980	Sune Bergström Sune Bergström Karl Sune Detlof Bergström was a Swedish biochemist.In 1975, he was appointed to the Nobel Foundation Board of Directors in Sweden.... , Karolinska Institute	For his pioneering studies of the prostaglandins.
1981	Paul Doughty Bartlett Paul Doughty Bartlett Paul Doughty Bartlett was an American chemist.Bartlett was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and grew up in Indianapolis. He received his B.A. from Amherst College in 1928. After his graduation from Harvard with James Bryant Conant, Bartlett worked at the Rockefeller Institute and the University of... , Texas Christian University	For his original investigations of the mechanisms of organic reactions.
1982	Frank Westheimer Frank Westheimer Frank Henry Westheimer was an American chemist. He was the Morris Loeb Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at Harvard University, and the Westheimer medal is named in his honour.... , Harvard University	For his significant achievements in the field of bioorganic chemistry.
1983	Henry Taube Henry Taube Henry Taube, Ph.D, M.Sc, B.Sc, FRSC was a Canadian-born American chemist noted for having been awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for "his work in the mechanisms of electron-transfer reactions, especially in metal complexes." He was the first Canadian-born chemist to win the Nobel Prize... , Stanford University	For his contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly in inorganics.
1984	Kenneth Pitzer Kenneth Pitzer Kenneth Sanborn Pitzer was an American physical and theoretical chemist, educator, and university president.... , University of California, Berkeley	For his theory for the internal rotation of groups within molecules.
1985	Duilio Arigoni Duilio Arigoni Duilio Arigoni is a Swiss chemist and Emeritus Professor at ETH Zurich. He has worked on the biosynthetic pathways of many organic natural substances.- Birth and education :... , Swiss Federal Institute of Technology	For his contributions of founding the field of bioorganic stereochemistry.
1986	George C. Pimentel George C. Pimentel George Claude Pimentel was the inventor of the chemical laser. He also developed the modern technique of matrix isolation in low-temperature chemistry. In theoretical chemistry, he proposed the three-centre four-electron bond which is now accepted as the best simple model of hypervalent... , University of California, Berkeley	For his contribution to the field of hydrogen bonding, matrix isolation, and chemical lasers.
1987	Harry George Drickamer Harry George Drickamer Prof. Harry George Drickamer , born Harold George Weidenthal, was a pioneer experimentalist in high-pressure studies of condensed matter. His work generally concerned understanding the electronic properties of matter.... , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	For his research on the effects of pressure on optical, electrical magnetic and chemical properties of matter.
1988	Richard Barry Bernstein Richard Barry Bernstein Richard Barry Bernstein was an American physical chemist. He is primarily known for his researches in chemical kinetics and reaction dynamics by molecular beam scattering and laser techniques. He is credited with having founded femtochemistry, which laid the groundwork for developments in... , University of California, Los Angeles	For his pioneering research in chemical dynamics, thereby providing a new understanding of chemical reactions.
1989	Norman R. Davidson, California Institute of Technology	For his pioneering research contributions to the understanding of the structure and function of genetic materials, especially for his novel techniques which had a powerful influence in this field.
1990	John D. Roberts John D. Roberts John Dombrowski Roberts is an American chemist. He has made contributions to the integration of physical chemistry, spectroscopy and organic chemistry for the understanding of chemical reaction rates.... , California Institute of Technology	For his integration of molecular spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, kinetics and other aspects of physical chemistry with his talent for organic synthesis. In the application of these intertwined disciplines to the study of structure activities of organic molecules.
1990	William von Eggers Doering William von Eggers Doering William von Eggers Doering was a Professor Emeritus at Harvard University and the former Chair of its Chemistry Department... , Harvard University	For his critical contribution into fundamental aspects of physical organic chemistry. Among his many other important contributions, his work on the carbenes was a pioneering effort which opened a broad field.
1991	Earl R. Stadtman, National Institutes of Health	For his work in demonstrating that covalent interconvertible enzyme cascades provide the cell with a finely tuned regulatory mechanism capable of integrating a vast amount of metabolic information, and that they have a remarkable potential for amplification signals and rates.
1991	Edwin G. Krebs Edwin G. Krebs -External links:*Hughes, R. 1998. *Krebs, E.G. * *... , Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington	For his part in showing that interconversion of phosphorylase between its active and inactive forms involved phosphorylation/ dephosphorylation, a process fundamental to the regulation of nearly every vital biological function.
1992	Richard Smalley Richard Smalley Richard Errett Smalley was the Gene and Norman Hackerman Professor of Chemistry and a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University, in Houston, Texas... , Rice University	For his career contributions to physical chemistry, including his development and use of supersonic molecular beam techniques for the study of clusters, ions, and molecules.
1993	Gilbert Stork Gilbert Stork Gilbert Stork is a U.S. organic chemist. He is the Eugene Higgins Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at Columbia University. The Stork enamine synthesis is named in his honor.-Education:... , Columbia University	For his work in developing new methods in organic synthesis and as a mentor to leading synthetic chemists all over the world. He has profoundly influenced the way scientists think about natural product synthesis in general and stereochemical control in particular.
1994	Jack Halpern, The University of Chicago	For his contributions to understanding reaction mechanisms not only of inorganic chemicals but of complex organometallic reactions systems as well; also for his contributions to understanding the field of homogeneous catalysis in solution.
1994	F. Albert Cotton F. Albert Cotton Frank Albert Cotton was the W.T. Doherty-Welch Foundation Chair and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. He authored over 1700 scientific articles. Cotton was recognized for his research on the chemistry of the transition metals.-Education:Frank Albert Cotton was born on... , Texas A&M University	For his work leading to our current understanding of multiple bonds of metal-metal bonding of transition metal chemistry and for his major impact in the field of inorganic and structural chemistry by virtue of his own work and the numerous individuals who worked in his laboratory as students or postdoctoral fellows.
1995	Jeremy R. Knowles Jeremy R. Knowles Jeremy Randall Knowles, CBE, FRS was a professor of chemistry at Harvard University, was Dean of the Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences from 1991 to 2002. He joined Harvard in 1974, received many awards for his research, and remained at Harvard until his death, leaving the faculty... , Harvard University	For his important contributions to mechanistic enzymology.
1995	Robert H. Abeles, Brandeis University	For his contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms of catalysis by enzymes and to the rational development of compounds that inactivate enzymes.
1996	Koji Nakanishi Koji Nakanishi a bioorganic and natural products chemist, is Centennial Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and former Chairman of the Chemistry Department, Columbia University.... , Columbia University	For his major contribution to our greater understanding of and our capacity to use many of the bioactive compounds found in nature.
1997	Ahmed Zewail Ahmed Zewail Ahmed Hassan Zewail is an Egyptian-American scientist who won the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on femtochemistry. He is the Linus Pauling Chair Professor Chemistry and Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology.- Birth and education :Ahmed Zewail was born on... , California Institute of Technology	For his leadership and pioneering contribution to all phases of femtosecond chemistry.
1998	Pierre Chambon, College de France	For his achievements in the field of nuclear receptors which have paved the way to a molecular understanding of vertebrate fundamental processes as well as their pathological disorders.
1999	Richard Zare Richard Zare Richard Neil Zare is an American physical chemist. He is Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University.-Education:Zare earned his B.A. in 1961 and his Ph.D... , Stanford University	For his seminal contributions in the area of chemical reaction dynamics and in the general field of molecular spectroscopy.
2000	A. Ian Scott, Texas A&M University	For his great contributions to organic chemistry and biochemistry, especially the elegant use of every physical and biological tool available to solve complex structural and mechanistic problems in natural product chemistry and biosynthesis, e.g., vitamin B12. He has provided concepts and methodologies which have been fruitful to many others.
2000	Sir Alan R. Battersby Alan R. Battersby Sir Alan Rushton Battersby FRS Sir Alan Rushton Battersby FRS Sir Alan Rushton Battersby FRS ((born 4 March 1925) is a British organic chemist known for his work on the genetic blueprint, structure, and synthetic pathway of Cyanocobalamin. This came in collaboration with a partner and also in... , Cambridge University	For his work which is well described as the biosynthesis of the pigments of life. It represents one of the major and most significant enterprises in contemporary chemistry and has transformed knowledge of the biosynthesis of such vital substances as vitamin B12.
2001	Roger D. Kornberg Roger D. Kornberg Roger David Kornberg is an American biochemist and professor of structural biology at Stanford University School of Medicine.Kornberg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2006 for his studies of the process by which genetic information from DNA is copied to RNA, "the molecular basis of... , Stanford University	For his seminal contributions in biological and structural chemistry: (1) the discovery, basic structure and function of nucleosome; (2) the discovery of the multiprotein Mediator of transcriptional regulation; and (3) the structures of the giant RNA polymerase II transcription initiation and elongation complexes.
2002	Harden M. McConnell Harden M. McConnell Harden M. McConnell is an American physical chemist at Stanford University.-Birth and education:Harden M. McConnell was born on July 18, 1927 in Richmond, Virginia. He completed his Bachelor of Science from George Washington University in 1947 and his PhD from the California Institute of... , Stanford University	For his thorough understanding of magnetic resonance and its use in achieving greater insight into chemical systems including reaction dynamics, magnetic resonance imaging and membrane phenomenon.
2003	Ronald Breslow Ronald Breslow Ronald C. D. Breslow is an American chemist from Rahway, New Jersey. He is currently University Professor at Columbia University, where he is based in the Department of Chemistry and affiliated with the Departments of Biological Sciences and Pharmacology; he has also been on the faculty of its... , Columbia University	For his pioneering contributions to the field of biomimetic chemistry and catalysis by design.
2004	Allen J. Bard Allen J. Bard Allen Joseph Bard is an American chemist. He is the Hackerman-Welch Regents Chair Professor of chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin. Among his awards were the Priestley Medal in 2002 and the 2008 Wolf Prize in Chemistry... , The University of Texas at Austin	For his major accomplishments in the field of electrochemistry and the effect of these on the discipline of chemistry itself.
2005	George M. Whitesides George M. Whitesides George M. Whitesides is an American chemist and professor of chemistry at Harvard University. He is best known for his work in the areas of NMR spectroscopy, organometallic chemistry, molecular self-assembly, soft lithography, microfabrication, microfluidics, and nanotechnology... , Harvard University	For the breadth and depth of his insight into chemical processes and his astute use of this understanding in approaching and solving many difficult problems in organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, material science and surface science.
2006	Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. Daniel E. Koshland, Jr. Daniel Edward Koshland, Jr. reorganized the study of biology at the University of California at Berkeley and was the editor of the leading US science journal, Science, from 1985 to 1995... , University of California, Berkeley	For his consistent and highly effective use of basic chemical principles to bring to greater clarity chemical processes in complex biological systems.
2007	William H. Miller William H. Miller (chemistry) William H. Miller is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley and is a leading researcher in the field of theoretical chemistry. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science members. He was the 2007 recipient of the... , University of California, Berkeley	For pioneering development of the modern theory of chemical reaction dynamics and rates.
2007	Noel S. Hush, University of Sydney	For fundamental work on the theory of homogeneous and heterogeneous electron transfer and contributions in the area of molecular electronics.
2008	Alexander Rich Alexander Rich Alexander Rich, MD is a biologist and biophysicist. He is the William Thompson Sedgwick Professor of Biophysics at MIT and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Rich earned both an A.B. and an M.D. from Harvard University. He was a post-doc of Linus Pauling along with James Watson... , Massachusetts Institute of Technology	For outstanding contributions to the understanding of the chemical and biochemical mechanisms in maintaining a living cell.
2009	Harry B. Gray Harry B. Gray Harry Barkus Gray is the Arnold O. Beckman Professor of Chemistry at California Institute of Technology. He won the Priestley Medal in 1991, Harvey Prize in 2000, The Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry in 2004, and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 2004.-Career:Gray received his B.S... , California Institute of Technology	For definitive contributions to the field of inorganic chemistry.
2010	JoAnne Stubbe JoAnne Stubbe JoAnne Stubbe is an American chemist. She is currently the Novartis Professor of Chemistry & Biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.-Career:... , Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Christopher T. Walsh Christopher T. Walsh Christopher T. Walsh is a Hamilton Kuhn professor of biological chemistry and pharmacology at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on enzymes and enzyme inhibition, and most recently he is focused on the problem of antibiotic resistance. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in... , Harvard Medical School	For their insights into the chemistry of enzymes in biological systems.