Scholarships, Awards & Financial Aid

The Department of Physics is fortunate to be able to offer scholarships, awards and bursaries to recognize and support our students. These physics-specific awards have been made possible through the  generous donations of alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the department.   

STUDENT SERVICES FINANCIAL AID & AWARDS SCHLOARSHIP 

To apply for Scholarships, please see Student Services Financial Aid and Awards' Scholarship Page for information.
Review Application Deadlines to ensure you don't miss your chance to apply!

Awards and Scholarships - student application

SFU Awards granted by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee

Isao Asano Undergraduate Scholarship in Physics

Two scholarships, valued at a minimum of $1,000, will be granted annually in any term to outstanding undergraduate students who fulfill the following criteria:

  • are enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Science; 
  • have declared major in physics; and, 
  • are in excellent academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.50.

Robert F. Frindt Undergraduate Scholarship in Physics

One or more scholarships, valued at minimum $1,200 each, will be granted annually in any term to undergraduate students who meet the following criteria:

  • are enrolled full-time in the term of eligibility;
  • are pursuing a bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Science with a declared major in Physics;
  • have completed at least 60 units; and 
  • are in excellent academic standing.

The scholarship will be granted by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee.

Ray Kapahi and Denise L. Wesleder Scholarship in Physics

One or more scholarships, valued at minimum $1,500 each, will be granted annually in any term to undergraduate students who meet the following criteria:

  • are enrolled full-time in the term of eligibility;
  • are pursuing a bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Science with a declared major in Physics;
  • have completed at least 60 units; and 
  • are in excellent academic standing.

The scholarship will be granted by the Senate Undergraduate Awards Adjudication Committee.

External Award granted by the Canadian Association of Physicists

Allan Carswell Physics Educator Scholarship

Through a generous endowment from the Allan Carswell Family Foundation, starting in 2020, up to two Allan Carswell Physics Educator Scholarships, valued at up to $5000 each, will be awarded annually. This scholarship recognizes the critical importance and value of having people who are trained in, and passionate about, physics engaging young Canadians in the classrooms of this country.

Awards and Scholarships - nominated by department

Patrick McTaggart-Cowan Award in Physical Science

Awarded to a student who is enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Science with a minimum cGPA of 3.50.  A letter demonstrating interest or aptitude in a field of physical science in one of these areas is required: astronomy; atmospheric science, biochemistry, chemistry, earth science, mathematics, oceanic science, physics or statistics.

Evelyn and Leigh Palmer Scholarship Endowment Fund

Awarded to undergraduate students in a major or honors program in the physical sciences (physics, applied physics, mathematical physics, chemical physics, chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry, or physics and physiology).  Applicants should have completed at least 60 SFU units toward the requirements for a degree and have completed at least 30 units in two of the last three terms in which they were enrolled. 

John F. Cochran Award

Awarded to a student who has completed between 45 and 75 units towards the requirements for any physics honours program, and have completed at least 24 units in two of the last three terms in which they were enrolled at SFU. The Award shall be made to a student who has shown achievement and promise in both experiment and theory through the first two years of study in any physics honours program.

Rudi Haering Award in Physics

Awarded to an outstanding physics or chemical physics undergraduate who has completed six terms of study or the equivalent credit units. 

Physics Charter Faculty Endowment Fund

Awarded to a top graduating student in any major or honors physics program on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of Physics. The endowment was established in recognition of physics charter faculty: John F. Cochran, Konrad Colbow, Richard H. Enns, Robert F. Frindt, Rudi R. Haering, David J. Huntley, J.C. Irwin, Klaus E. Rieckhoff and K.S. Viswanathan. 

Grant Sheffer Undergraduate Student Research Award in Physics

This research award is intended to support SFU Physics Undergraduate Students carrying out research projects under the supervison of a faculty member in the Department of Physics. The endowment was established in 2017 by the Sheffer family in memory of Grant Sheffer (1952-2016), an SFU graduate (awarded his BSc in 1976), and a former employee of the Department of Physics and TRIUMF. 

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate students enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Science with a major in physics.
  • Should have completed their first year of undergraduate studies.
  • Should have shown outstanding achievement.

Bursaries - student application

Please see Student Services bursaries website for information on how to apply for these bursaries.

Ralph Kerr Memorial Bursary

Awarded to students who are in their third or fourth year of studies in the physics or engineering programs. This bursary fund has been established in memory of Ralph Kerr, a charter member of Simon Fraser University and a former employee of the Department of Physics.

Scott Wilson Memorial Endowment Fund/Bursary

Awarded to an undergraduate student(s) enrolled full time in a physics program in good academic standing on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students who are returning to university after a break in their studies, lasting at least one year or more. 

Mona and Albert Curzon Bursary Endowment

Awarded to graduate students in physics or for majors or honors undergraduate students in physics, mathematical physics, chemical physics, biophysics or other joint programs with physics. These bursaries are subject to demonstrated financial need and good academic standing. 

Other Departmental Awards

Outreach Volunteer Award

Up to four $100 awards per year, given as an honorarium or gift certificate, to recognize student contributions towards Physics Outreach Events. 

Nominations will be solicited by the ORSEC Chair.  Award winners will be determined by the ORSEC at the start of every Fall semester, with the goal of awarding at least one undergraduate student and one graduate student each year.   

A student can only win the award once every two years.

SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD WINNERS

We have a page with information on our schloarship and award winners