SPIE-Boston University Scholarship in Photonics
Thanks to the generous $1 million endowment established by SPIE and Boston University, the Photonics Center is delighted to invite applications from trainees in Photonics Center faculty labs pursuing impactful photonics research. Awardees will be recognized as recipients of the SPIE–Boston University Scholarship in Photonics, which supports outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral associates advancing the frontiers of photonics.
Recipients of the one-year scholarship will receive $37,500 toward their stipend/fringe benefits, and $2,500 to cover travel to any domestic SPIE conference at which they are a presenter (poster or oral). The mentor will need to demonstrate availability of support for the balance of the stipend, fringe, full tuition and benefits. Awardees can be doctoral students (year 2+) or postdoctoral scholars. International and domestic students may apply.
Applicants will complete the form below, which includes attaching a one-page description of the research they will conduct during the scholarship year and their ultimate career goals, a CV, and a letter of recommendation by their mentor/advisor.
Evaluation criteria will include:
- Quality of the research plan (significance/impact, innovation, and approach);
- Strength of the applicant (based on CV, papers, presentations, training experiences, etc.);
- Alignment of proposed research with the Photonics Center mission;
- Mentor support (evidence that the mentor is supportive and enthusiastic about the applicant, along with a strong track record of mentorship).
Only one nomination per mentor will be allowed each year. Mentors whose students have been supported in the past five years are ineligible to nominate. A review committee of Photonics Center faculty will evaluate nominations and select a scholarship recipient. The mentor must have external funding in place to support the balance of stipend and fringe, although departments should cover tuition- and benefits-related balances.