The deadline to submit applications for the 2024 Technical Merit Award Scholarships is May 1, 2024
Purpose:
The AAPT scholarship is funded by the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists with the purpose of increasing the number of scientists and engineers available for careers in the general area of asphalt cement or asphalt concrete technology.
AAPT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
Gene & Betty Skok Annual Meeting Awards
Student registrants receive free registration and reduced banquet ticket.
Students must provide a picture and a brief (4 sentence maximum) bio that includes their school/program, research topic, and graduation date. AAPT will acknowledge their receipt of an annual meeting award via social media using this information. AAPT will also email the students formal notification of their award.
During the meeting, students are expected to post on social media (using the annual meeting hashtag) about some way they benefitted by attending the meeting that they could not have gotten otherwise (e.g. specific feedback on their project, someone they met). AAPT account will like/share/retweet these contributions so they get broader exposure.
Technical Merit Awards
Eligibility Requirements:
An AAPT Technical Merit Scholarship will be presented to a student who has been admitted into, or is currently enrolled in, a graduate program leading to either an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in one of the fields of study noted below. Scholarship applicants must have already received a Bachelor’s degree prior to the semester the scholarship is granted by AAPT.
Students that have won a scholarship in one category are not eligible to receive the scholarship again in the same category. They are eligible to receive the scholarship in another category.
Fields of Study:
In order to be eligible for consideration, the applicant must be admitted into, or enrolled in, a graduate degree program which contributes to advances in any facet of asphalt cement or asphalt concrete technology. Eligible fields of study include chemistry, chemical engineering, and civil engineering. Other areas of study may be considered provided the applicant clearly notes the relevance of his/her curriculum towards asphalt cement or asphalt concrete technology.
Awards:
Rebecca S. McDaniel Memorial Scholarship
The Rebecca S. McDaniel Memorial Scholarship award will be made annually to a single recipient, provided there is a qualified applicant. A minimum award of $2500 will be made directly to the recipient, and the recipient will also receive a plaque in addition to a poster presentation presentation and/or webinar opportunity and recognition at annual meeting and on website/social media.
The first Rebecca S. McDaniel Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Faustina Keuliyan-Rodriguez of Auburn University in 2021.
Ward K. Parr Scholarships
Ward K. Parr Scholarship and runner-up awards will be made in three categories, provided there are qualified applicants in each category.
Masters Level: Student that is currently, or will be at the time of award, enrolled in a master’s degree program.
- Winner: Monetary scholarship award made directly to the recipient, poster presentation, and recognition at annual meeting and on website/social media
- Runner-up: Poster presentation and recognition at annual meeting and on website/social media
Early PhD Level: Student that is within their first two years of a PhD degree program.
- Winner: Monetary scholarship award made directly to the recipient, poster presentation, and recognition at annual meeting and on website/social media
- Runner-up: Poster presentation and recognition at annual meeting and on website/social media
Late PhD Level: Student that has completed two or more years in a PhD degree program.
- Winner: Monetary scholarship award made directly to the recipient, poster presentation and/or webinar opportunity and recognition at annual meeting and on website/social media
- Runner-up: Poster presentation and recognition at annual meeting and on website/social media
Application Process:
In order to be considered for the annual AAPT Technical Merit Awards, the following materials must be received by the AAPT office no later than May 1. Information received after this deadline will not be considered for the scholarship review process.
- Completed scholarship application form
- Applicant’s resume
- Current GPA and GPA from completed degrees
- List of relevant courses taken and grades earned
- Applicant’s statement (500 words or less). The statement should include the applicant’s interest in asphalt technology and research, their career aspirations, and why they should receive an AAPT Scholarship.
- A 2-3 minute (maximum) recorded presentation by the applicant that supports, but does not repeat, their application statement. The statement should address their interest in the industry. (include checkbox permission to use video on AAPT website/social media)
- Three reference letters as noted below:
- A letter of reference from applicant’s major graduate program advisor.
- Two other reference letters from individuals knowledgeable in the technical/academic qualifications of the applicant, preferably AAPT members.
Evaluation process and criteria:
The AAPT Board of Directors review applications and rate each applicant in the categories described below. A composite score is calculated and then the scores from all board members are collated and ranked by average score. This data is reviewed by the Board, and final decisions on awards are made.
|
Criteria |
Weight |
|
Classroom achievement: Grade point average and coursework |
20% |
|
Relevance and strength of non- classroom achievement: work and/or volunteer experience and how it relates to their graduate program |
20% |
|
Relevance and strength of applicant statement and supporting recorded presentation: clear, effective communication (written and oral) of applicant’s interest in asphalt technology, career aspirations, why they should receive an AAPT scholarship |
30% |
|
Strength of recommendation letters |
30% |