M. Hildred Blewett Scholarship

To enable early-career women to return to physics research careers after having had to interrupt those careers for family reasons. The scholarship consists of a one-year award of up to $45,000 (applicants can apply in a subsequent year for one additional year of support). Allowed expenses include dependent care (limited to 50% of the award), salary, travel, equipment, and tuition and fees. Applicants must have an affiliation with a research-active educational institution or national lab. While no matching contribution from the institution is required, institutional support would be viewed as evidence of support for the applicant.

   Find out more in the FAQ.

Establishment & Support

The award was established from a bequest from M. Hildred Blewett,  a particle accelerator physicist who died in 2004. Hildred Blewett was passionate about physics and wanted to help women overcome obstacles by establishing the scholarship.   

2008 Selection Committee: Peter Sheldon (Randolph College), Andrea Liu (University of Pennsylvania), Yevgeniya Zastavker (Olin Franklin College of Engineering), Elizabeth Freeland (2006 winner, School of the Art Institute of Chicago)

Rules & Eligibility

  The applicant must currently be a legal resident or resident alien of the United States or Canada.  She must be currently in Canada or the United States and must have an affiliation with a research-active educational institution or national lab. She must have completed work toward a PhD.

Nomination & Selection Process

All applications must be submitted electronically by June 2. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that applications are completed by this deadline. Selection will be made by a committee of the CSWP. Announcement of the award is expected to be made no later than August 1.

On-Line Application Process

Please complete this application on line. When you are finished, click on "submit" to send your application. The application consists of:

Part I: Cover Sheet

Summary: Provide basic information including personal contact details, mentor, school, and total budget amounts.

Part II: Abstract and Proposal

1. Abstract: An abstract of approximately 200 words, at a level understandable by a scientifically literate individual, which describes the research that will be undertaken as you resume your research career.
2. Proposal: In 2500 words or less, describe the proposed research including the following:
   1. Proposed physics research activity
   2. Previous research accomplishments, if any
   3. Plan of activities to be undertaken during the scholarship year, with specific goals and outcomes
   4. Description of the circumstances that resulted in interruption of your research career.  Please give as many specific details as possible describing how and why the break occurred. 
      
   5. Description of your future plans and how the scholarship would help you achieve them.  Please give specific details.    
      
   6. How did you learn about the scholarship?
      

Part III: Budget Information

1. Budget Amounts: Detailed list of budget items
2. Budget Justification: Brief explanation of the items in the budget and how they will enable you to achieve the goals put forth in the proposal.
   
   Note to applicants: APS anticipates making quarterly payments directly to the institution. No overhead charges will be allowed.
   
   Recipients should be aware that scholarship monies are probably taxable. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for guidance.

Part IV: Curriculum Vitae

  Paste your most current curriculum vitae into the application form.  Please include a list of publications that are relevant to the proposed research.  C.V. should not exceed two pages.  

Part V: Support Letters

1. Institutional Support: Include a letter from an official within the institution with which you will be affiliated for the duration of the scholarship. This letter must include a statement of institutional support that will enable you to resume your research career.
   
2. Mentor: A second letter of support must come from a senior scientist in your subfield who will commit to being a mentor for you during the period of the scholarship.
   
   These letters should be sent to Sue Otwell separately, either by e-mail to blewett@aps.org   or by US mail to the address given at the end of this page.

Final Report

A final report will be due 90 days after completion of the scholarship year. The final report shall relate progress and goals stated in the proposal and include copies of published or submitted papers, a list of presentations made or scheduled, and a spreadsheet detailing expenditures made from the award. All publications should acknowledge support of the scholarship with the phrase

“This work supported in part by the M. Hildred Blewett Scholarship of the American Physical Society, www.aps.org.”

CSWP will contact scholarship winners annually in the first three years following their award. Award recipients will be asked to give CSWP a brief report on progress with research efforts, papers published, and/or presentations made.

For More Information

See Frequently Asked Questions. Further questions may be directed to  blewett@aps.org.

2007 M. Hildred Blewett Scholarship Recipient:
Archana Dubey
University of Central Florida

Past Recipients:

2006:	Elizabeth Freeland
2005:	Rebecca Forrest