DIRECTED ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY DEPS Graduate Research Grants   General Information Requirements Application Process Previous Research Grant Awardees Other Education Programs Undergraduate Research Grants Summer Internships STEM Programs Naval Horizons     Graduate DE Research Grants in High Energy Laser (HEL), High Power Microwave (HPM), Ultra-Short Pulse Laser (USPL), and Counter Directed Energy Weapon (CDEW) Technologies The Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS) is the premier organization for the exchange of information on the development, application and transition of Directed Energy (DE) technologies. These technologies include high energy lasers (HEL), high power microwave (HPM) systems and technologies, ultra-short pulse lasers (USPL) and counter DE weapon (CDEW) technologies. DEPS fosters research and development of DE technology for national defense and civil applications through professional communication and education. The traditional academic disciplines involved in DE research include, but are not limited to, physics, electrical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials sciences, optical sciences, optical engineering, and aerospace engineering. This program offered partial awards up to $10,000 for the 2024-2025 school year. The number and amount of 2025-2026 research grants will depend on available funding, which is provided by grants from the Joint Directed Energy Transition Office (JDETO) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and by DEPS. Requirements for application DEPS is seeking qualified research grant candidates for the 2025-2026 school year. Students must be full-time graduate students at a U.S. school for the term of the research grant award, and expected graduation for initial applicants must be no earlier than the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Candidates are expected to be interested in pursuing or currently studying the DE technology areas of high energy lasers, high power microwaves, ultra-short, pulsed lasers or counter directed energy weapons. Students applying for this award must be U.S. citizens. The applicant and their advisor cannot have received international/foreign funding within the last 10 years. The term of the award is one year. Current Scholars may apply for support in the next year, but they have no advantage over other applicants. The requirement that a student have a year or more remaining before award of the degree is waived for current Scholars who are reapplying. An award made to a current Scholar graduating before May 2026 will be proportionately reduced. Please note, DEPS will carry out a due diligence process for all individual persons applying for a DEPS graduate research grant. Application Process To apply for this research grant, please send the following individual items via email to cynnamon@deps.org. Should you choose to mail your application, please send the below to the DEPS Research Grant Program, Directed Energy Professional Society, 7770 Jefferson Street NE, Suite 440, Albuquerque, NM, 87109. This DEPS graduate research grant application Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, sent directly from the school to DEPS (see note below) Letter of interest that includes your current status in an university as well as your interest in a specific DE technology (typically 1-2 pages) A statement of proposed research that discusses your current research focus as well as its projected outcomes (min. 1 page, maximum 10 pages. The more details the better!) A letter of reference from a potential or current graduate research advisor including an assessment of the student's potential and description of facilities to be employed for the research. (This should be a signed letter, on University/company letterhead and may be submitted digitally if sent directly from the reference.) Note: Previous applicants who are applying again this year need only submit transcripts that have changed since the last application. For example, a second-year graduate student who applied last year need not resubmit transcripts from undergraduate school. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2025. Applications will be reviewed by the DEPS Board of Scientific and Engineering Advisors (BSEA) for potential award. The awards will be announced during the summer after applications are due. Typically end of July, first week of August. BENEFITS OF BEING AN AWARDEE include: A complimentary DEPS membership (one year) If you haven't already, create a DEPS account here. Exposure on the DEPS website and in the WaveFront Newsletter via the DE Scholar Spotlight Unique networking opportunities to meet your peers and share your research Automatic enrollment in the Mentor Match program (we are in the process of matching each of you as we speak) And more! Your name added to our DE Graduate Research Grants page online and the press release announcing these awards will be published on the DEPS website as well as linked to the WaveFront Newsletter. Please note, funds are intended to be used toward tuition, travel costs associated with the DE Student Workshop, and/or any other educational materials. Scholars are highlighted in a segment of the WaveFront Newsletter called the DE Scholar Spotlight. Students will be featured to gain additional exposure within the Directed Energy community. DEPS scholars have received job opportunities from these spotlights. Students will be asked to provide a brief bio (1-4 paragraphs) that includes: the focus of your current research future aspirations other general interests/hobbies expected graduate date alternate email address and a recent photo. REQUIREMENTS OF AWARD DE Graduate Scholar are highly encouraged to present your current research at a Student Workshop that is held in conjunction with our DE Annual Science & Technology Symposium. The date and location of this event will be confirmed sand provided as soon as available (Usually in April or May timeframe). Additional requirements of the award include Participation at a virtual mid-year check-in. This will be an additional connection opportunity for scholars and mentors in the Dec/Jan timeframe. It will be a virtual meeting where scholars will give informal, 5-10-minute presentations on their research. You will be required to submit a PDF version of these slides the day of the check-in. When presenting on the research you are being funded for in any forum, please acknowledge/properly attribute to DEPS, JDETO and ONR. The DEPS logo is attached for your use. Response to scholar close-out questions at the conclusion of the academic year *Should you be unable to attend and present at the DE Student Workshop, you are still required to provide DEPS with a PowerPoint presentation discussing your research. If you have any questions, please contact Cynnamon Spain, at cynnamon@deps.org DEPS Research Grant Awardees 2024-2025 Scholars Kristin Chapman, Clemson University Dr. Samuel Blankenship DE Scholar Award Winner Sachin Shah, University of Maryland Dr. Jack Slater Award Winner Jacob Barker, University of Arizona Timothy Bate, University of Central Florida Ryan Beneck, Pennsylvania State University Timothy Bukowski, University of Notre Dame Kaitie Butler, University of Missouri - Kansas City Jennifer Campbell, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Caleb Dobias, University of Central Florida Joshua Follansbee, University of Arizona Mitchell Grose, University of Dayton Micah Haack, Pennsylvania State University Angus Hendrick, University of Arizona Charles Hooper, University of New Mexico John Hunt, University of Minnesota Nicolaus Jennings, University of Texas at Arlington Simeon Karnes, University of Missouri, Kansas City Kevin Lindstrom, University of Connecticut Michael Mounho, Texas Tech University Jackson Nicastro, Pennsylvania State University LaShae Smith, University of Central Florida Austin Stark, University of Missouri - Kansas City Owen Thome, University of Central Florida Nicholas Vail, University of Central Florida Travis Wright, Texas Tech University 2023-2024 Scholars Travis Crawford, Purdue University Dr. Samuel Blankenship DE Scholar Award Winner Joshua Follansbee, University of Arizona Dr. Jack Slater Award Winner Jacob Barker, University of Arizona Matthew Cooper, University of Central Florida Ryan Ellis, University of Central Florida Noah Hovd, University of Arizona John Hunt, University of Minnesota Nicolaus Jennings, University of Texas at Arlington Ismail Khan, The Ohio State University Bailey Meehan, Clemson University Colin Mussman, Pennsylvania State University Zareb Noel, University of Notre Dame Kimberly Pereira, University of Massachusetts Amherst Torin Sammeth, University of New Mexico Shawn Scoggin, University of Texas at Arlington Sachin Shah, University of Maryland Jenny Smith, University of Michigan LaShae Smith, University of Central Florida Zach Tebow, University of Minnesota Owen Thome, University of Central Florida Erin Thornton, University of North Texas Nicholas Vail, University of Central Florida Travis Wright, Texas Tech University Ryan Yamaguchi, Naval Postgraduate School 2022-2023 Scholars Michael Nickerson, University of California, Santa Barbara Dr. Samuel Blankenship DE Scholar Award Winner Nicholas Vail, University of Central Florida Dr. Jack Slater Award Winner Derek Burrell, University of Arizona Matthew Cooper, University of Central Florida Travis Crawford, Purdue University Cameron Harjes, University of New Mexico Anna Janicek, University of New Mexico Kevin Kwock, Columbia University Alexander Meadows, Colorado State University Bailey Meehan, Clemson University Isabella Pagano, University of Texas at Austin Jacob Pierce, University of California, Los Angeles Kevin Reilly, University of New Mexico Ryan Revolinsky, University of Michigan Zhanna Rodnova, University of Connecticut Jenny Smith, University of Michigan LaShae Smith, University of Central Florida Andrew Tartaro, University of Maryland Zach Tebow, University of Minnesota Erin Thornton, University of North Texas Josh Young, Baylor University 2021-2022 Scholars Jessica Pena, University of Central Florida Dr. Samuel Blankenship DE Scholar Award Winner Matthias Banet, University of Rochester Dr. Jack Slater Award Winner Derek Burrell, University of Arizona Travis Crawford, Purdue University Brandin Davis, University of Connecticut Cameron Harjes, University of New Mexico John Hunt, University of Minnesota Bailey Meehan, Clemson University Michael Nickerson, University of California, Santa Barbara Isabella Pagano, University of Texas at Austin Matthew Paliwoda, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Jacob Pierce, University of California, Los Angeles Kevin Reilly, University of New Mexico Zhanna Rodnova, University of Connecticut Christopher Swenson, University of Michigan Owen Thome, University of Central Florida Nicholas Vail, University of Central Florida Stefan Waczynski, University of Maryland College Park Ryan Yamaguchi, Naval Postgraduate School Josh Young, Baylor University 2020-2021 Scholars Matthias Banet, University of Rochester Dr. Samuel Blankenship DE Scholar Award Winner Joseph Cox, University of Arizona Dr. Jack Slater Award Winner Andrew Fairbanks, Purdue University Andrew Goffin, University of Maryland, College Park Alexander Johnston, The University of Texas Arlington Stephen Langellotti, University of Michigan Jessica Ma, Johns Hopkins University Bailey Meehan, Clemson University Michael Nickerson, University of California, Santa Barbara Matthew Paliwoda, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Jessica Pena, University of Central Florida Kevin Reilly, University of New Mexico Evan Schulte, University of Missouri - Columbia Pawel Strzebonski, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Ray Wambold, University of Wisconsin-Madison Ryan Yamaguchi, Naval Postgraduate School Josh Young, Baylor University 2019-2020 Scholars Matthias Banet, University of Rochester Dr. Samuel Blankenship DE Scholar Award Winner Aaron Ediger, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Amanda Loveless, Purdue University Jessica Ma, Johns Hopkins University Michael Nickerson, University of California, Santa Barbara Drew Packard, University of Michigan Isabella Pagano, University of Texas at Austin Matthew Paliwoda, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Kevin Reilly, University of New Mexico Daniel Thul, University of Central Florida Ray Wambold, University of Wisconsin-Madison Ryan Yamaguchi, Naval Postgraduate School 2018-2019 Scholars Ray Wambold, University of Wisconsin-Madison Dr. Samuel Blankenship DE Scholar Award Winner Matthias Banet, University of Rochester Justin Cook, University of Central Florida Samuel Dickerson, University of Missouri-Columbia Aaron Ediger, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Patrick Forbes, University of Wisconsin-Madison Matthew Kemnetz, Notre Dame University Eric Konitzer, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Amanda Loveless, Purdue University Jessica Ma, Johns Hopkins University Drew Packard, University of Michigan Jon Pouncey, University of New Mexico Kevin Reilly, University of New Mexico Patrick Roumayah, University of Central Florida Amber Vargas, Clemson University 2017-2018 Scholars Nicholas Antonellis, Wesleyan University Lilian Casias, University of New Mexico Justin Cook, University of Central Florida Samuel Dickerson, University of Missouri-Columbia Patrick Forbes, University of Wisconsin-Madison Evan Hale, University of Central Florida Matthew Kemnetz, Notre Dame University Amanda Loveless, Purdue University Drew Packard, University of Michigan Michael Plascak, University of Central Florida Jon Pouncey, University of New Mexico Zachary Shaw, Texas Tech University Amber Vargas, Clemson University Ray Wambold, University of Wisconsin-Madison 2016-2017 Scholars Andrew Brown, University of Minnesota Lilian Casias, University of New Mexico Auralee Edelen, Colorado State University Ben Eshel, Air Force Institute of Technology Steven Exelby, University of Michigan Tyler Galpin, University of New Hampshire Hemant Gandhi, Harvard University Evan Hale, University of Central Florida Reed Holinger, Colorado State University Matthew Kemnetz, Notre Dame University Cody Mart, University of Arizona Jon Pouncey, University of New Mexico Tyler Rowe, University of Wisconsin Alex Sincore, University of Central Florida Bradley Thompson, University of Illinois 2015-2016 Scholars Joshua Bradford, University of Central Florida Andrew Brown, University of Minnesota Lee Burchett, Air Force Institute of Technology Christopher Dunn, Clemson University Steven Exelby, University of Michigan Evan Hale, University of Central Florida Matthew Kemnetz, Notre Dame University Jeffrey Kraczek, University of Dayton Tyler Rowe, University of Wisconsin Fred Seng, Brigham Young University Alex Sincore, University of Central Florida Michael Steinbock, Air Force Institute of Technology Bradley Thompson, University of Illinois 2014-2015 Scholars Brian Anderson, University of Central Florida Christopher Dunn, Clemson University Geoff Greening, University of Michigan Kevin Landsman, University of Maryland Tyler Rowe, University of Wisconsin Drew Schiltz, Colorado State University Michael Steinbock, Air Force Institute of Technology Lucas Taylor, University of Minnesota 2013-2014 Scholars Brian Anderson, University of Central Florida Geoff Greening, University of Michigan Conor Pogue, Naval Postgraduate School Aaron Pung, Clemson University Drew Schiltz, Colorado State University Michael Steinbock, Air Force Institute of Technology 2012-2013 Scholars Craig Ament, University of Arizona Matthew Franzi, University of Michigan George Laity, Texas Tech University Benjamin Oliker, University of New Mexico Daniel Ott, University of Central Florida Aaron Pung, Clemson University Mark Spencer, Air Force Institute of Technology Christina Willis-Ott, University of Central Florida 2011-2012 Scholars Craig Ament, University of Arizona Shelby Lacouture, Texas Tech University Benjamin Oliker, University of New Mexico Daniel Ott, University of Central Florida Zhigang Pan, University of Maryland Jonathan Parson, Texas Tech University Mark Spencer, Air Force Institute of Technology Christina Willis, University of Central Florida 2010-2011 Scholars Michael Day, University of Illinois - Urbana Derreck Drachenberg, University of Central Florida Matthew Franzi, University of Michigan Darby Hewitt, university of Illinois - Urbana George Laity, Texas Tech University Keith Powell, University of Arizona Mark Spencer, Air Force Institute of Technology Christina Willis, University of Central Florida Nathan Zameroski, University of New Mexico 2009-2010 Scholars Derreck Drachenberg, University of Central Florida David French, University of Michigan Rich Gibson, Brigham Young University Matt Opgenorth, University of Denver Keith Powell, University of Arizona Jason Readle, University of Illinois - Urbana Zachary Roth, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Brian Woodard, University of Illinois - Urbana 2008-2009 Scholars Derreck Drachenberg, University of Central Florida Brad Hoff, University of Michigan Michael Holloway, University of Maryland Eric Montgomery, University of Maryland Zachary Roth, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Donald Wittich, Notre Dame Sheldon Wu, University of California San Diego Joseph Zimmerman, University of Illinois 2007-2008 Scholars Thomas Fitzgerald, Air Force Institute of Technology William Hagerman, University of Central Florida Brad Hoff, University of Michigan Michael Holloway, University of Maryland Paul Larsen, University of Maryland Alice Nightingale, University of Notre Dame Edward Nissen, University of Northern Illinois Ryan Shea, University of Minnesota Donald Wittich, University of Notre Dame Sheldon Wu, University of California San Diego 2006-2007 Scholars Thomas Fitzgerald, Air Force Institute of Technology Brad Hoff, University of Michigan John McCorkindale, University of Illinois at Chicago Alice Nightingale, University of Notre Dame Edward Nissen, University of Northern Illinois Daniel Roskey, University of Arizona Donald Wittich, University of Notre Dame 2005-2006 Scholars Brad Hoff, University of Michigan John McCorkindale, University of Illinois at Chicago Nathan Moody, University of Maryland Alice Nightingale, University of Notre Dame Jason O'Daniel, University of Central Florida Daniel Roskey, University of Arizona Jed Simmons, University of Central Florida Donald Wittich, University of Notre Dame 2004-2005 Scholars Jeremy Ellis, University of Central Florida John Harris, University of Maryland Brad Hoff, University of Michigan Kyungbum Kim, University of Central Florida Jonathan Neumann, University of Maryland Daniel Roskey, University of Arizona   Copyright © Directed Energy Professional Society   DHTML/JavaScript Menus by OpenCube Last updated: 22 September 2024