Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers

About this scholarship

The American Association of Physics Teachers administers the Barbara Lotze Scholarship to help future high school physics teachers complete their undergraduate preparation. Each selected student receives up to $3,000 and a complimentary one-year AAPT student membership. The award may be renewed for as many as four years, making it a potentially substantial source of support throughout a teacher-preparation program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens attending U.S. schools and must clearly intend to prepare for and enter a career teaching physics at the high-school level. Current undergraduates at accredited two-year colleges, four-year colleges, or universities may apply, as may high school seniors who have been accepted into such an institution. The student’s planned or current course of study must lead toward physics teaching, and the application should demonstrate promise of academic success and commitment to education. Applications are accepted online throughout the year. To be considered at the next winter meeting of the AAPT Board of Directors, every application component, including recommendation letters, must arrive by December 1, 2026. The provider’s grant page links directly to the new AAPT application system.

Eligibility

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Attend or plan to attend an accredited two-year college, four-year college, or university in the United States
• Be an undergraduate or a high school senior accepted for undergraduate enrollment
• Pursue or plan a course of study leading to high school physics teaching
• Declare an intention to prepare for and work in a high school physics-teaching career
• Show promise of academic success
• Ensure that the complete application and recommendations are received by December 1 for winter consideration