SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers

SPIE scholarships are available to SPIE Student Members located anywhere in the world, in high school (pre-university/secondary), community and technical colleges, as well as undergraduate and graduate university programs, who are studying in a field related to optics and photonics.

The scholarship award amount ranges from US $3,000 to $11,000 and supports tuition and fees, course-related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment

Scholarship descriptions

One application is used to apply for many different scholarships, including:  

• SPIE D.J. Lovell Scholarship, US $11,000
  • This scholarship honors the memory of longtime SPIE Member D. J. Lovell, who authored the book Optical Anecdotes for SPIE Press. It recognizes the recipient’s top ranking among the group of SPIE named scholarship recipients. It is sponsored by SPIE.
• John Kiel Scholarship, US $10,000
  • This scholarship honors SPIE Founding Member John Kiel and his longstanding and significant contributions to the Society. Funded by SPIE, it recognizes the student’s potential for long-term contribution to the fields of optics and optical engineering.
• Laser Technology, Engineering and Applications Scholarship, US $5,000
  • Funded by SPIE and by the officers, directors, and members of the Forum for Military Applications of Directed Energy (F-MADE), this scholarship recognizes the student’s scholarly achievement in laser technology, engineering, or applications.
• Teddi Laurin Scholarship, US $5,000
  • This scholarship raises awareness of optics and photonics and fosters growth in the industry by supporting photonics students. Funded by SPIE and Photonics Media, it honors the memory of Laurin Publishing and Photonics Media founder Teddi Laurin.
• Optical Design and Engineering Scholarship, US $5,000
  • The scholarship, which honors well-respected members of the SPIE technical community Bill Price and Warren Smith and is funded by SPIE and the Price Fund, supports an undergraduate or graduate student in optical design and engineering.
• Women in Optics Scholarship, US $10,000
  • Sponsored by SPIE, Optimax, and Janet Fender, this scholarship has the goal of expanding our workforce through increased representation of women in the field of optics, photonics, or engineering. Five awards will be granted to students who are US citizens for study in the United States.
• New in 2026: Optics and Photonics Africa Scholarship, US $4,000
  • Sponsored by Peter de Groot and SPIE, this scholarship supports opportunities for science education worldwide. Two awards will be granted to students pursuing studies in Africa.
• 72 additional Optics and Photonics Scholarships, ranging from US $3,000 to $5,000

Requirements and eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements and eligibility in order for the application to be forwarded to the Committee for consideration.

• High school, pre-university, or secondary-school students will receive a one-year complimentary Student Membership. 
• You must be enrolled in a program related to the field of optics and photonics.
• You must be in school for the full academic year of the specified scholarship year
• Two (2) recommendations are required. Family members, relatives, and students are not eligible to submit a recommendation. NOTE: Recommendations must be received before you can submit your application.
• If applicable, your Annual Scholarship Report(s) must be on file with SPIE if you received a scholarship(s) in previous years. Please contact [email protected] to confirm that your report is on file (if applicable).
• If awarded an SPIE Scholarship, funds must be used for the specified academic year.
• Students are eligible to receive one (1) SPIE Scholarship for each academic level including high school, community and technical college, undergraduate, Masters, and PhD studies.
• Preference may be given to those who have not received any previous awards from SPIE.
• Applicants who have received a terminal degree (MD, JD, PhD, etc.) are not eligible to apply.
• Incomplete applications will not be submitted for consideration.

All applicants will be notified via email of the results of their application in May or June.

Before applying, please make sure you have your SPIE login credentials to access the application. If you have forgotten your account information, please open this link and click "Forgot Username" and/or "Forgot Password" or contact [email protected] should you have any questions.

Evaluation criteria

The key criterion in evaluating and ranking applications is the "prospect for long-term contribution that the granting of an award will make to the field of optics, photonics or related field." Need, in and of itself, shall not be considered as a criterion.

All scholarship applications are judged on their own merit, based on the experience and education level of the individual student. High school (pre-university, secondary school), community and technical, undergraduate, and graduate students will be judged relative to other applicants with similar educational backgrounds.