SPS Scholarships

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Recipients by year:
2024  | 2023  | 2022  | 2021  | 2020  | 2019  | 2018  | 2017  | 2016  | 2015  | 2014  | 2013

These awards are made to undergraduate physics students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and additional criteria as outlined in the following descriptions.

Applications Open: January 2

Applications Due: March 15 

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SPS Scholarship Applications

The deadline to apply for SPS scholarships is March 15. If this deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the next business day. Be sure to give yourself enough time to complete the application process, which includes requesting two letters of recommendation that must be uploaded by the deadline, and an official copy of your transcripts that must be postmarked by the deadline.

Applications are accepted through the online application system only.  You must be logged into the SPS Membership site in order to apply and know what your SPS Chapter number is.

Graduating seniors are not eligible for SPS Scholarships.

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Jocelyn Bell Burnell Leadership Scholarship

  • At least one $6000 award will be made each year
  • Awarded on the basis of academic performance and leadership in SPS
  • Applicants must have junior level standing

SPS Leadership Scholarships

  • Several $2500-$6000 awards may be made each year
  • Awarded on the basis of academic performance and leadership in SPS
  • Applicants must have junior level standing 

SPS - Google Scholarships

  • Up to five $10,000 awards may be made.
  • Awarded on the basis of demonstrated interest and perseverance and SPS participation.
  • Awardees will be connected to google through special events.
  • Particular consideration is given to those that may have overcome significant obstacles in their professional journey.

Marian H. Rose Research Scholarship

  • One $15,000 award may be made each year
  • Awarded to female-identifying early career graduate students with preference given to students in the climate and environmental sciences

Herbert Levy Memorial Scholarship

  • One $2,500 award may be made each year
  • Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and financial need

SPS Future Teacher Scholarship

  • One $2,500 award may be made each year
  • Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and a stated teaching career objective

Peggy Dixon Two-Year Scholarship

  • One $2,500 award may be made each year
  • Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and attendance at a two-year college

AWIS Kirsten R. Lorentzen Award

  • One $2,500 award will be made each year; recipient will also be invited to attend a professional physics meeting in the year following receipt of the award
  • Awarded to a female student in her sophomore or junior year of study
  • Awarded to an exceptionally well-rounded student who excels in her studies as well as outdoor activities, service, sports, music, or other non-academic pursuits or who has overcome significant obstacles

SPS and AAPT Mary Beth Monroe Memorial Scholarship

  • One $2,500 award may be made each year
  • Awarded to undergraduate students majoring in physics or physics education on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, attendance at a community college, and intent to pursue a career in education

Aysen Tunca Memorial Scholarship

  • One $2,500 award will be made each year
  • Awarded to a female undergraduate student majoring in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) field, excelling in her studies, and demonstrating significant potential.
  • Preferably for a student with a disadvantaged economic background or someone who overcame significant obstacles in her life, or someone who is the first person in her family to go to college or major in a STEM field.

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) Academic Scholarship

  • One $2,500 award may be made each year
  • Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship and SPS participation

Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) Underrepresented Student Scholarship

  • One $2,500 award may be made each year
  • Awarded to undergraduate students who are from a group that is underrepresented in science and engineering, on the basis of scholarship and SPS participation

Program Support

The awards and scholarship programs of SPS are made possible, in large part, through the generous contributions of Sigma Pi Sigma members and friends. In this way, the physics alumni, and especially Sigma Pi Sigma members, contribute to the generations of students who follow them.

SPS derives most of its support from the American Institute of Physics (AIP). SPS dues are also an important contributor. These regular, budgeted sources of revenue make possible the SPS publications and additional programs that are available to SPS members.