SPIE - Optical Design and Engineering Scholarship

Optical Design and Engineering Scholarship

You will receive a one-off grant of 4,600 EUR (US $5,000) towards your tuition fees, other fees, and the books, materials and equipment required for your course. The funding comes from SPIE, the international professional society for optics and photonics. It honours two SPIE members, Bill Price and Warren Smith, and supports a student in the field of optical design and engineering – that is, the development of lenses, optical systems and light-based instruments.

Who can apply

• Level: You are studying at a grammar school, a university of applied sciences or a vocational college, on a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme in an optics-related subject.
• Field of study: Optics, photonics or a related field with a focus on optical design and optical engineering.
• SPIE membership: You are an active SPIE student member and will remain so from 15 February to 30 June. Student membership costs around 18 EUR ($20 US dollars) per year.
• No final degree yet: You have not yet obtained a final academic qualification such as a PhD, MD or JD.
• Nationality: You can apply from anywhere in the world, regardless of your nationality or gender.
• University: You can study at any university.

How to apply

A single application is valid for all SPIE scholarships in the field of optics and photonics, including this scholarship. Apply online by 15 February and submit your academic transcripts, your CV, a short essay (maximum 400 words) on your goals in the field of optics, and two letters of recommendation. A selection committee will review the written applications and announce the results in May or June. There will be no interview.

How realistic are your chances?

The field of specialisation is narrowly defined, as a genuine focus on optical design and engineering is required. However, the award is open to applicants worldwide and is very well known within the optical community, meaning that strong candidates from many countries compete for a single scholarship. The decisive factor in the selection process is your potential to make a long-term contribution to the field of optics – which you must demonstrate through your essay and your academic achievements to date – rather than your financial need. A clear, concrete presentation of your work and your career goals is what makes the difference.