Marian H. Rose Research Scholarship

Scholarship Overview

The Marian H. Rose Research Scholarship of $15,000 annually funds one graduate student conducting research in the physical sciences. This scholarship honors Marian H. Rose, a career plasma physicist, author and environmental activist. Dr. Rose graduated from Barnard College, earned a master’s degree from Columbia University, and received a doctorate from Harvard University. This named scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Marian Rose with the aim to provide funding to students who support her commitment to pure scientific research, scientific discovery, and encouraging and promotion of women in the physical sciences. The Marian H. Rose Research Scholarship will serve as a springboard for aspiring, talented students to overcome barriers to pursuing a career of impactful research.

Scholarship at a Glance

One $15,000 award will be made each year.
Awardee must be a current early career graduate student in an accredited college.
Preference given to a student pursuing research in the Climate or Environmental sciences.
The Marian H. Rose Research Scholarship is funded by the Heineman Foundation and administered by SPS.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a current early career graduate student in an accredited college.
Must be in good academic standing and enrolled as a current student.
Majoring in physics or a related field.
Member of Sigma Pi Sigma or an SPS alumnus.
Must demonstrate intent to pursue meaningful research.
Preference given to research in the environmental sciences or climate science.
Should demonstrate alignment with Dr. Rose’s commitment to providing opportunities and breaking down barriers by lived experience and/or work done inside or outside the classroom.

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete an online application no later than November 15 (if this date falls on a weekend or holiday, the application is due the following business day). 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. If you are a graduated SPS alum or Sigma Pi Sigma member, please reach out to sps-programs@aip.org with requests for access to the site.

The application consists of several parts:

General information form.
A current transcript (official or unofficial).
Written statement of the applicant’s career objectives.
Written statement of the applicant’s participation in SPS /Sigma Pi Sigma.
Explain the impact of your research on society in layman’s terms.
Describe your plan to continue your research beyond the current year.
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
- Participation in climate or environmental science research, if applicable.

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:

High scholarship performance both in physics and overall studies.
The exhibition of the potential and intention for continued scholastic development in physics and/or related fields.

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@aip.org .