Bonenfant International Travel Scholarship Grant

The Bonenfant International Travel Scholarship, established by the Optica Foundation, supports students in engineering and physical science programs to gain international experience through semester-abroad opportunities. With a prize of $9,000, this scholarship aims to foster global collaboration and engagement, encouraging students to document their experiences and insights gained from diverse cultures. Eligible candidates must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 and demonstrate interest in optics-related research.

Optica Foundation
We cultivate the next generation of leaders and innovators as they navigate advanced degree programs and become active members of research, engineering and business worldwide. The foundation also works to secure the endowments for Optica’s awards and honors programs. The foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
The Bonenfant International Travel Scholarship enables students enrolled in engineering and/or physical science programs to attend semester-abroad programs offered through their accredited college or university. The goal of the scholarship is to provide international experience to students as they prepare for professional lives that promote global engagement and collaboration.

Eligibility

Be a student enrolled in engineering and/or physical science programsHave at least a 3.0 grade point average (or the equivalent)Have applied for, or been accepted to, a study-abroad program of at least 6 weeks’ durationShow a demonstrated interest in optics related research and applicationsBe a resident of the U.S. and a graduate of a 12-year pre-college school in the U.S. Note: This requirement is in support of the scholarship’s focus on promoting global engagement between students living in the U.S. and their counterparts around the world.Agree to blog and/or utilize social media platforms to document their trip and to share their experiences and the insights they have gained from living in another culture