The AWIS Educational Foundation was established by AWIS in 1974, with funding provided by contributions from members (most especially from then AWIS president Estelle Ramey, who contributed some of her speaking fees).

The first awards were made in April 1975 - three $500 graduate scholarships (named in honor of Evelyn Gaynor, Gertrude Perlman, and Priscilla Pollister).

The Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, with contributions being tax deductible.

Over the past 30 years the endowment has grown with contributions from members as well as family, friends, and colleagues who establish a named award.

Awards are made under the aegis of two programs:

1. Predoctoral awards, open to advanced doctoral students, and

2.  Undergraduate awards, for college students in their first, second, or third year of college.

Each year about ten predoctoral students receive a full award for $1000 or a Citation of Merit for $500.  AWIS expects to give a similar number of awards to undergraduates this year.

In addition, there are several awards with special application requirements.  These include:

a.  Kirsten R.Lorentzen award for a 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate majoring in physics or geoscience;

b.  Luise Meyer-Schutzmeister award, for  a graduate student majoring in physics;

c.  Ruth L. Satter award, for a graduate student who interrupted her education for at least three years to raise a family. 

Occasionally other educational grants are made, such as one to AWIS to create an archive of all past issues of AWIS Magazine on the AWIS website.

Click here for a list of the 2008 awardees.

Click the logo below for details and application materials for 2009 AWIS Educational Foundation awards.

Click Here