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Student Awards
Awards Application Information

Hilliard Awards for Seniors

Eligibility

Materials science and engineering majors completing their undergraduate degrees between December 2023 and December 2024.

Materials Science and Engineering Hilliard Award in Research and Design ($1000) 

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in research or design by a graduating MSE major. The criteria for the award include the quality, originality, and importance of the research and/ or design solution.

Required Documentation

  • Faculty nomination addressing specifically the depth of the intellectual contribution by the individual student, as well as the importance and originality of the work. 
  • Extended abstract, written by the student, not to exceed three pages, single spaced, summarizing their research or design project.   Extended abstracts should be formatted in the same manner as full papers, include references, and may include diagrams, photos, graphs, equations. The page limit may not be exceeded. 
  • Individual statement, written by the student, which summarizes their research or design experience to date and how that has influenced their intended goals for the future. Length: one page maximum, single spaced. Indicate “Research/Design Award.” 
  • Transcript (unofficial)

Materials Science and Engineering Hilliard Award for Leadership, Scholarship & Service ($1000)

This award recognizes the graduating senior who best demonstrates, through leadership, scholarship and service, that they will be a credit to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the McCormick School of Engineering and Northwestern University. 

Required Documentation

  • Individual statement from student, not to exceed two single-spaced pages, that describes (1) leadership and/or service efforts and (2) future career goals. Indicate “Leadership, Scholarship, Service” Award.
  • Letter of support from research advisor or MSE core course faculty.
  • Transcript (unofficial)

Supporting documents must be submitted electronically to Kathleen Stair, by May 1st.

Outstanding MatSci Junior Award ($500)

Eligibility 

Materials science and engineering majors in MEAS or materials science majors in WCAS with junior standing at the time of application.

This award recognizes the materials science and engineering junior who best demonstrates achievement of excellence, through leadership, scholarship, service, and/or outstanding research accomplishment.

Required Documentation

  • Individual statement from student, not to exceed two single-spaced pages, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, that describes the most pertinent accomplishments in:
    • Scholarship 
    • Research
    • Leadership, Service and Extra-curricular Activities 
  • Two letters of support relevant to the accomplishments described above.
  • Transcript (unofficial)

Supporting documents must be submitted electronically to Kathleen Stair, by May 1st.

Outstanding MatSci Sophomore Award ($500)

Eligibility  

Materials science and engineering majors in MEAS or materials science majors in WCAS with sophomore standing at the time of application.

This award recognizes the materials science and engineering sophomore who best demonstrates achievement of excellence, through leadership, scholarship, service, and/or outstanding research accomplishment.

Required Documentation

  • Individual statement from student, not to exceed two single-spaced pages, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, that describes the most pertinent accomplishments in:
    • Scholarship 
    • Research
    • Leadership, Service and Extra-curricular Activities 
  • One letter of support relevant to the accomplishments described above.
  • Transcript (unofficial)

Supporting documents must be submitted electronically to Kathleen Stair, by May 1st.

Meister Summer Research Awards

Research funding is available to support two materials science and engineering undergraduate researchers during summer. For freshman and sophomores. 

Eligibility

  • Students must be declared materials science and engineering majors in McCormick or materials science majors in WCAS.
  • Students completing their freshmen or sophomore year by summer will be favored in the competition.  

Support

The internship will offer support at the level of a $4000 stipend, plus $1000 for facility use, training or supplies for a period of nine-weeks during the summer.

Application

To apply, students must have identified or started a research project with an MSE faculty member and must submit the following by April 15th:

  • A one page proposal outlining the motivation and goals of their summer project. Include the names of the applicant and adviser. 
    • Format: 12 pt, Times New Roman, single space, 1 inch margin. 
    • Include figures or references if necessary.
  • Transcript
  • Letter of recommendation from their research adviser

Finalists may be invited to participate in a short interview with the award committee. Awards will be announced in late April. A written report of the work at the end of the summer, and an oral presentation of the work to prospective majors, will also be required.

Applications should be sent to Kathleen Stair.