SPIE Scholarship Program

SPIE offers generous scholarships to support students around the world who are pursuing studies in optics, photonics, or related fields. To apply, you must be an active SPIE Student Member.

Multiple scholarships are awarded through this program each year, including:

• SPIE D.J. Lovell Scholarship, $11,000
• John Kiel Scholarship, $10,000
• Laser Technology, Engineering, and Applications Scholarship, $5,000
• Teddi Laurin Scholarship, $5,000
• Optical Design and Engineering Scholarship, $5,000
• Women in Optics Scholarship (five), sponsored by Optimax, SPIE, and Janet Fender, $10,000
• New in 2026: Optics and Photonics Africa Scholarship (two), sponsored by Peter de Groot and SPIE, $4,000
• More than 66 additional SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarships, ranging from $3,000–$5,000

The 2026 application closed on 15 February. Check back soon to learn about this year's recipients.

Scholarship details

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

The 2026 application closed on 1 November 2025. Learn about the 2026 recipient by clicking the link below.

Scholarship details

The Ya-Chieh Lai Memorial Scholarship supports the education of a graduate Student Member studying in a field related to advanced lithography. One scholarship is awarded annually for $10,000.

The 2027 application opens in September 2026.

Scholarship details

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 $10,000.

The 2026 application closed on 16 March. Check back soon to learn about this year's recipient.

Scholarship details

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 $7,500.

The 2026 application closed on 28 February. Check back soon to learn about this year's recipient.

Scholarship details

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

The 2025 application closed on 1 October 2025. Learn about the 2025 recipient by clicking the link below.

Scholarship details

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 2026 application closed on 31 March. Check back soon to learn about this year's recipient.

Scholarship details

• 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.
• SPIE Outreach Grants: Funding of up to $7,500 supports projects that promote awareness of optics and photonics through educational events, classroom activities, and International Day of Light initiatives.