SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarships

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 required by your institution.

The 2026 application is open. Apply by 15 February 2026.

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 a full-time 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.
• 66 additional Optics and Photonics Scholarships, ranging from US $3,000 to $5,000