SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarships
Offered by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics
About This Scholarship
SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, the technology behind lasers, fiber-optic networks, camera sensors, and the chipmaking equipment used in semiconductor fabs. Its annual scholarship program is one of the largest in any engineering field: in 2026 it gave 85 students a combined $351,000.
One application puts you in the running for all of the program's awards. Named scholarships include the $11,000 D.J. Lovell Scholarship, the $10,000 John Kiel Scholarship, five $10,000 Women in Optics Scholarships for U.S. citizens studying in the United States, and $5,000 awards in laser technology and optical design. More than 70 other awards pay $3,000 to $5,000.
The program is unusually open. High school, community and technical college, undergraduate, and graduate students anywhere in the world can apply, and each group is judged against applicants at a similar level. The one cost is SPIE student membership at $20, and high school students get a free year. Committees rank applicants on their prospects for long-term contribution to optics and photonics, not on financial need.
Eligibility
- SPIE Student Member in good standing from February 15 through June 30 (standard student membership is $20; high school and pre-university students get a complimentary one-year membership)
- Enrolled in high school, a community or technical college, or an undergraduate or graduate program related to optics and photonics, anywhere in the world
- Must be in school for the full academic year of the scholarship
- Students who already hold a terminal degree (MD, JD, PhD, etc.) are not eligible
- Prior SPIE scholarship recipients must have their annual scholarship report on file; preference may go to students without previous SPIE awards
- Women in Optics Scholarships require U.S. citizenship and study in the United States
How To Apply
- Join SPIE as a student member ($20), or have high school students send the Pre-College Membership Application Form to [email protected]
- Log in with your SPIE credentials and open the 2027 scholarship application from the SPIE Scholarships page
- Write your essay or personal statement and complete the application
- Request two recommendations through the system (family members, relatives, and other students cannot recommend); they must be received before you can submit
- Submit by February 15, 2027; results are emailed in May or June
Frequently Asked Questions
Can high school students apply for SPIE scholarships?
Yes. SPIE accepts high school and pre-university students along with college and graduate students, and high schoolers receive a complimentary one-year student membership.
How much does it cost to apply?
There is no application fee, but you must be an SPIE Student Member. Standard student membership is $20.
Does one application cover every SPIE scholarship?
One application covers the general SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarships, including the named awards. A few specialty scholarships, such as the lithography awards, have separate applications.