SPIE scholarship program

Honoring the achievements of students, investing in future leaders of optics and photonics

Moving optics and photonics forward

SPIE is committed to supporting students on their academic journeys in optics, photonics, or other related fields. Browse the list of scholarships below to view details and application information.

SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship winners at SPIE Photonics West

The gateway to educational excellence

Why scholarships from SPIE?

  • Global reach: Open to SPIE Student Members worldwide studying optics, photonics, or related fields
  • Generous awards: Multiple scholarships, including the prestigious D.J. Lovell Scholarship ($11,000) and the John Kiel Scholarship ($10,000)
  • Diverse opportunities: From optical design to laser technology, we’ve got you covered.
  • Wide-reaching impact: In 2024, SPIE awarded $345,000 in scholarships to 80 outstanding Student Members.

    SPIE scholarships

    SPIE scholarships are open to students located anywhere in the world who are studying optics, photonics, or related fields. Multiple scholarships are awarded through this program each year, including:

    • SPIE D.J. Lovell Scholarship, US $11,000
    • John Kiel Scholarship, US $10,000
    • Laser Technology, Engineering, and Applications Scholarship, US $5,000
    • Teddi Laurin Scholarship, US $5,000
    • Optical Design and Engineering Scholarship, US $5,000
    • Women in Optics Scholarship, sponsored by Optimax and SPIE, US $5,000
    • More than 70 additional SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarships, ranging from US $3,000–$5,000.

    The 2025 application closed on 15 February 2025. Stay tuned to learn about this year's recipients.

    Scholarship details

    Nick Cobb Memorial Scholarship

    The Nick Cobb Memorial Scholarship supports the education of a graduate student studying in a field related to advanced lithography. One scholarship is awarded annually for US $10,000.

    The 2025 application closed on 1 November 2024. Learn about this year's recipient by clicking the link below.

    Scholarship details

    Joe and Agnete Yaver Memorial Scholarship

    The Joe and Agnete Yaver Memorial Scholarship is for SPIE Members and staff seeking further education that provides business knowledge required to facilitate the advancement and application of optics and photonics research and technology. One scholarship is awarded annually for US $10,000.

    The 2025 application closed on 14 March 2025. Stay tuned to learn about this year's recipient.

    Scholarship details

    Michael Kidger Memorial Scholarship in Optical Design

    The Michael Kidger Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student engaged in optical design including lens design, illumination design, and computational optical design. One scholarship is awarded annually for US $7,500.

    The 2025 application closed on 28 March 2025. Stay tuned to learn about this year's recipient.

    Scholarship details

    SPIE-BACUS Scholarship

    The SPIE-BACUS Scholarship is for students who wish to work in the fields of photomask and microlithography manufacturing for the semiconductor industry. One scholarship is awarded annually for US $5,000.

    The 2025 application is open. Apply by 27 June 2025.

    Scholarship detailsApply online

    Jenoptik-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship

    The Jenoptik-SPIE Technician Scholarship awards four $3,000 scholarships to students enrolled or planning to enroll in a laser, optics, or photonics technician associate or certificate program in the state of Florida.

    The 2025 application is open. Apply by 15 April 2025. 


    Scholarship detailsApply online

    Eichenholz-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship

    The Eichenholz-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship is intended for students enrolled or planning to enroll in a laser, optics, or photonics technician associate or certificate program. Four $2,500 scholarships are awarded annually.

    The 2025 application is open. Apply by 28 March 2025.

    Scholarship detailsApply online

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    More funding opportunities to promote research and learning

    • Student Conference Support – Travel grants and conference registration fee waivers are presented to SPIE Student Members who are planning to present or attend an SPIE meeting.
    • SPIE-Franz Hillenkamp Postdoctoral Fellowship – An annual award of US $75,000 is given to translate new biomedical optics and biophotonics technologies to clinical practice for improving human health.
    • IBM-SPIE HBCU Faculty Accelerator Award in Quantum Optics and Photonics – This US $100,000 award shall be used to promote research and education in quantum optics and photonics within IBM-HBCU Quantum Center member institutions, and may support students or postdoc researcher stipends, travel, conference registration, equipment, materials and supplies, and faculty summer salary.
    • Berns-SPIE SPARK Grants – Grants will be awarded between US $50,000 and $100,000 o support young research scientists – either postdocs or faculty – who are using lasers and other optically based systems to study basic cell process or to develop technologies to diagnose and/or treat diseases in an innovative way that could have a major impact on the field of biophotonics.