AWIS Kirsten R. Lorentzen Award

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Applications Due March 15

If this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday

Recipients:
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |  2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014

Scholarship Overview

AWISThe Kirsten R. Lorentzen Award is an AWIS Educational Foundation program for female college sophomores and juniors studying physics, including space physics and geophysics, or geoscience. The award in the amount of $2,500 is given annually to an exceptionally well-rounded student who excels in her studies as well as outdoor activities, service, sports, music, or other non-academic pursuits or who has overcome significant obstacles. The award is administered by SPS and may be used for any aspect of education, including tuition, books, housing, or travel, for example.

Scholarship at a Glance

  • One $2,500 award will be made each year
  • Awarded to a female student in her sophomore or junior year of study
  • Awarded to an exceptionally well-rounded student who excels in her studies as well as outdoor activities, service, sports, music, or other non-academic pursuits or who has overcome significant obstacles
  • The Kirsten R. Lorentzen Award is an Association for Women in Science (AWIS) Educational Foundation program administered by SPS.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be female students in the sophomore or junior year of college who are majoring in physics, including space physics and geophysics, or geoscience.
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who attend a college or university in the United States.
  • Applicants must be undergraduate members of the SPS national organization

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete an online application no later than March 15 (if this date falls on a weekend, the application is due the following Monday). The online system will guide applicants through completing the individual steps of the application process listed below, including requesting letters of recommendation. All pieces of the application must be in by the deadline in order to be considered for the scholarship.

The application consists of several parts:

  • General information form
  • Transcript: An official, current transcript must be sent directly to the SPS Scholarship Program by the applicant’s college or university. Transcripts must be postmarked by the application deadline and mailed to:

SPS Scholarship Program
1 Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740

  • Outline of the physics and related courses the applicant has taken and plans to take
  • Written statement of the applicant’s career objectives
  • Written statement of the applicant’s participation in SPS activities
  • Written statement by the applicant providing evidence of being an exceptionally well-rounded female student who excels in her studies as well as outdoor activities, service, sports, music, or other non-academic pursuits or who has overcome significant obstacles (no more than one page)
  • Certification from the Department Chair that the applicant is in good standing with the department and making satisfactory progress toward the degree
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members familiar with the applicant and his or her qualifications. The recommenders should comment on the applicant in light of each of the three criteria:
    • high scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies,
    • the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
    • active participation in SPS programs.

Selection Criteria

In determining the recipients, the SPS Scholarship Committee shall consider how well the applicant matches the specifications outlined in the award description, in addition to the following criteria:

  1. high scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies,
  2. the exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics, and
  3. active participation in SPS programs.

Details for Awardees

Awardees will be required to submit a completed W-9 federal tax form (or equivalent for international students) before funds are dispersed.

Questions

Please address questions related to this award to SPS-Programs [at] aip.org.