Scholarships, Internships, & Other Opportunities

Undergraduate Scholarships, Fellowships, & Internships

(Also see Graduate Awards & Undergraduate Teaching Assistants)

Department Awards

Scholarship Title Deadline Desciption Award
Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium Research Scholarship Award Early Sept. (Fall) /
Early Jan. (Spr) /
Late Apr. (Sum)		 Recipients are expected to work with a faculty research mentor for 10 hours/week for the semester & will present their research.
Requires: Research Plan, 1 Letter of Recommendation, Transcript.
Eligibility: Physics & Astronomy undergraduate majors. U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents Only.		 $1800
Summer Undergraduate Research Awards (SURA) Mid-March Recipients will conduct independent research over the summer with an offered stipend & enroll into a 12-week SURA course on communicating research findings.
Requires: Cover Page, Research Proposal, Community Statement addressing a prompt, Letter of Support from Faculty, Confirmation that student will not hold other summer research awards, (optionally) IRB submission.
Eligibility: Dietrich School Undergraduates who can secure a faculty mentor.		 $4000
Thomas-Lain Fund Scholarship Essay Competition Mid-March Applicants will submit a 4-5 page essay based on a yearly prompt.
Requires: Cover Page, Essay, Transcript.
Eligibility: Physics & Astronomy undergraduate (& graduate) majors with a 3.25 or higher GPA and at least 1 full term of study remaining.		 $1000 - 5000
Emil Sanielevici Undergraduate Research Scholarship Early March Recipients will create a research proposal to apply, then present their research in a seminar if selected.
Requires: Cover page, Abstract, Research Question, Research Plan/Approach.
Eligibility: Physics & Astronomy undergraduate majors with at least 1 full year of study remaining.		 $4000

Dietrich School Awards

Scholarship Title Deadline Desciption Award
Dean’s Scholar Award Late February To recognize Dietrich School seniors who exemplify high scholarship, character, and devotion to the ideals of the University of Pittsburgh.
Requires: Applicant must be nominated. Nomination form, Letter of recommendation.
Eligibility: Dietrich school undergraduates graduating in April 2022 with a 3.85 GPA OR received a Bachelors degree in December 2021. Student must be planning on continuing education after graduation.		 $750
Perseverence Award Late February This award recognizes seniors who have overcome barriers and shown strength of character and resiliency in their academic and personal pursuits.
Requires: Applicant must be nominated (self-nominations accepted). Nomination form, Letter of recommendation.
Eligibility: Dietrich school undergraduates graduating in April 2022 with a 2.0 GPA OR received a Bachelors degree in December 2021.		 $750
Service Award Late February This award recognizes the extraordinary impact seniors have on the success of their peers, the Dietrich School, and the broader community.
Requires: Applicant must be nominated. Nomination form, Letter of recommendation.
Eligibility: Dietrich school undergraduates graduating in April 2022 with a 2.0 GPA OR received a Bachelors degree in December 2021. Applicant must demonstrate leadership.		 $500

(Also See the College of General Studies Student Recognition Awards)

External Awards

Scholarship Title Deadline Desciption Award
(AWIS) Kirsten R. Lorentzen Award Mid March Applicants submit multiple statements regarding their career, personal, and extracurricular achievements and goals. Awarded by the Association for Women in Science (AWIS).
Requires: Transcript, Outline of physics courses, Career Objectives statement, SPS Participation statement, Personal statement, Certification from Department Chair, 2 Letters of Recommendation.
Eligibility: Undergraduate women in Physics, Geophysics, or Geoscience who are active members of the Society of Physics Students (SPS).		 $2,000
ASPIRE: Human Engineering Resource Laboratories (HERL) Summer Research Program Mid March Recipients will work directly with HERL faculty and graduate students over the summer in rehabilitation engineering and will attend seminars and workshops. Free housing is provided.
Requires: Application, CV, Transcript.
Eligibility: STEM field Undergraduates. U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents Only (Exceptions may apply). Applicant must not graduate before or during Summer 2022. Minorities, women, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.		 $4,750 Stipend
(AWIS) Dr. Vicki L. Schechtman Scholarship Late February Applicants submit a 500-1000 word essay on their professional goals. Awarded by the Association for Women in Science (AWIS).
Requires: Goals Essay, CV, Intended use of funds, Transcript, 2 References.
Eligibility: Undergraduate women in their Freshman to Junior years in a science major.		 $2,000

SPS Scholarships

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a professional association where members only need to be interested in physics to join. SPS offers multiple scholarship opportunities to its members.
Read More about our SPS Chapter.

Scholarship Title Deadline Desciption Award
SPS Leadership Scholarships March 15 Annually Multiple recipients receive this award for academic performance and leadership in SPS.
Requires: Transcript, Career Objectives Statement, SPS Participation Statement, Outline of Physics Courses Taken/Planned, Certification of Good Standing from Department, 2 Letters of Recommendation.
Eligibility:Junior-level Undergraduate member of SPS.		 $2000-5000
Herbert Levy Memorial Scholarship March 15 Annually Receipients are awarded based on SPS participation & financial need.
Requires: Transcript, Outline of Physics Courses Taken/Planned, Career Objectives Statement, SPS Participation Statement, Financial Need Statement, Certification of Good Standing from Department, 2 Letters of Recommendation.
Eligibility: Undergraduate member of SPS who demonstrates financial need. Applicant must not expect to complete their degree in the Spring or Summer immediately following the March deadline.		 $2000
SPS Future Teacher Scholarship March 15 Annually Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship, SPS participation, and a stated teaching career objective
Requires:Transcript, Outline of Physics Courses Taken/Planned, Career Objectives Statement Regarding Teaching, SPS Participation Statement, Certification of Good Standing from Department, 2 Letters of Recommendation.
Eligibility:Undergraduate member of SPS in a teaching education program. Applicant must not expect to complete their degree in the Spring or Summer immediately following the March deadline.		 $2000
Aysen Tunca Memorial Scholarship March 15 Annually Awarded to a female undergraduate student majoring in a STEM field demonstrating significant potential with a disadvantaged economic background or facing significant obstacles, or is the first person to go to college/major in STEM in her family.
Requires:Transcript, Outline of Physics Courses Taken/Planned, Career Objectives Statement, SPS Participation Statement, Statement of Excelling despite Obstacles, Certification of Good Standing from Department, 2 Letters of Recommendation.
Eligibility:Female sophomore or junior undergraduate member of SPS majoring in STEM. U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents Only.		 $2000
SSAI Academic Scholarship March 15 Annually Awarded to undergraduate students on the basis of scholarship and SPS participation
Requires:Transcript, Outline of Physics Courses Taken/Planned, Career Objectives Statement, SPS Participation Statement, Certification of Good Standing from Department, 2 Letters of Recommendation.
Eligibility: Sophomore or Junior member of SPS majoring in Physics or related science. U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents Only.		 $2000
SSAI Underrepresented Student Scholarship March 15 Annually Awarded to undergraduate students who are from a group that is underrepresented in science and engineering, on the basis of scholarship and SPS participation.
Requires:Transcript, Outline of Physics Courses Taken/Planned, Career Objectives Statement, SPS Participation Statement, Certification of Good Standing from Department, 2 Letters of Recommendation.
Eligibility: Sophomore or Junior member of SPS majoring in Physics or related science from a group underrepresented in science & engineering. U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents Only.		 $2000

Additional External Award Resources:

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Sites

Internships

In addition to the information above, you are encouraged to view or subscribe to the University Honors College Newsletter which features funding opportunities.

Volunteering