SPD Studentship Awards

The Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society is pleased to announce this program, which for the last two decades has presented a number of awards annually to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in solar physics. The purpose of these awards is to acquaint promising students with the field of solar physics by allowing these students to participate actively in the annual SPD meeting (or joint summer meeting with the AGU/AAS, as appropriate).

Depending upon financial need, the awards comprise a fraction of travel and room and board for the duration of the meeting. Awardees are recognized at the meeting.

Applications for the award are solicited in early spring, approximately one month before the abstract deadline for the meeting. They should be submitted to the Chair of the Studentship Awards Committee: Dr. A. Gordon Emslie, Western Kentucky University, 239 Wetherby, Bowling Green, KY 42101.

Please feel free to distribute this notice to any individuals who may not be on the SolarNews mailing list but who nevertheless may be interested in this opportunity.

NOTE: The SPD strongly encourages applications for partial support, with the remainder of the necessary funds coming from other (e.g., grant, university) sources. The supporting advisor's letter must include "an evaluation of the student's financial requirements for attending the meeting and the extent to which partial support from other sources is available." Ideally, such a statement should also detail amounts for airfare, hotel, etc. Applications that simply state, "Any support that can be provided will be greatly appreciated" (or similar words) are discouraged.

An application consists of the following:

Student LevelRequirements
Undergraduate and Graduate Students (1) Name, university, address, major, education level, science grade point

(2) Summary of interests and future plans in solar physics.

(3) One letter of endorsement from a supervising scientist, that includes an evaluation of the student's financial requirements for attending the meeting and the extent to which partial support from other sources is available. (Letters or e-mails may be sent separately to the above address.)

(4) Enclose an abstract and deliver either an oral or poster presentation at the meeting. Abstracts should also be sent through the usual channels.

Awardees will be notified sufficiently in advance of the abstract deadline for the meeting for them to make the necessary plans to attend. Awards are issued by the Treasurer of the Division.

Student awardees are expected to attend the entire SPD meeting and to be present at a brief awards ceremony to be held during the meeting.

The SPD Student Committee (Gordon Emslie, Matthias Rempel, Kathy Reeves)


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