DEPS Graduate Research Grant

DEPS Graduate Research Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Directed Energy Professional Society
Last Updated: March 13, 2026

Summary

The DEPS Graduate Research Grant supports full-time U.S. graduate students pursuing research in Directed Energy technologies, including high energy lasers and counter directed energy weapons. Awards of up to $10,000 are available for the 2024-2025 school year, fostering academic growth through networking and exposure opportunities. Applicants must possess a strong interest in DE technology and adhere to eligibility criteria. Unique benefits include complimentary DEPS membership and potential job opportunities through community engagement.

Overview

Please note: Funds are intended to be used toward tuition, travel costs associated with the DE Student Workshop, and/or any other educational materials. DEPS Graduate Research Grant in High Energy Laser (HEL), High Power Microwave (HPM), Ultra-Short Pulse Laser (USPL), and Counter Directed Energy Weapon (CDEW) Technologies The Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS) is the premier organization for the exchange of information on the development, application, and transition of Directed Energy (DE) technologies. These technologies include high energy lasers (HEL), high power microwave (HPM) systems and technologies, ultra-short pulse lasers (USPL) and counter DE weapon (CDEW) technologies. DEPS fosters research and development of DE technology for national defense and civil applications through professional communication and education. The traditional academic disciplines involved in DE research include, but are not limited to, physics, electrical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials sciences, optical sciences, optical engineering, and aerospace engineering. Funding This program offered partial awards up to $10,000 for the 2024-2025 school year. The number and amount of 2025-2026 research grants will depend on available funding, which is provided by grants from the Joint Directed Energy Transition Office (JDETO) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and by DEPS. BENEFITS OF BEING AN AWARDEE include: A complimentary DEPS membership (one year) If you haven't already, create a DEPS account here. Exposure on the DEPS website and in the WaveFront Newsletter via the DE Scholar Spotlight Unique networking opportunities to meet your peers and share your research Automatic enrollment in the Mentor Match program (we are in the process of matching each of you as we speak) And more! Your name added to our DE Graduate Research Grants page online and the press release announcing these awards will be published on the DEPS website as well as linked to the WaveFront Newsletter. Scholars are highlighted in a segment of the WaveFront Newsletter called the DE Scholar Spotlight. Students will be featured to gain additional exposure within the Directed Energy community. DEPS scholars have received job opportunities from these spotlights.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. DEPS is seeking qualified research grant candidates for the 2025-2026 school year. Students must be full-time graduate students at a U.S. school for the term of the research grant award, and expected graduation for initial applicants must be no earlier than the end of the 2025-2026 school year.Candidates are expected to be interested in pursuing or currently studying the DE technology areas of high energy lasers, high power microwaves, ultra-short, pulsed lasers or counter directed energy weapons.Students applying for this award must be U.S. citizens.The term of the award is one year. Current Scholars may apply for support in the next year, but they have no advantage over other applicants. The requirement that a student have a year or more remaining before award of the degree is waived for current Scholars who are reapplying. An award made to a current Scholar graduating before May 2026 will be proportionately reduced.Please note, DEPS will carry out a due diligence process for all individual persons applying for a DEPS graduate research grant.Requirements Of AwardDE Graduate Scholar are highly encouraged to present your current research at a Student Workshop that is held in conjunction with our DE Annual Science & Technology Symposium. The date and location of this event will be confirmed and provided as soon as available (Usually in April or May timeframe). Additional requirements of the award include Participation at a virtual mid-year check-in. This will be an additional connection opportunity for scholars and mentors in the Dec/Jan timeframe. It will be a virtual meeting where scholars will give informal, 5-10-minute presentations on their research.You will be required to submit a PDF version of these slides the day of the check-in. When presenting on the research you are being funded for in any forum, please acknowledge/properly attribute to DEPS, JDETO and ONR. The DEPS logo is attached for your use.Response to scholar close-out questions at the conclusion of the academic yearShould you be unable to attend and present at the DE Student Workshop, you are still required to provide DEPS with a PowerPoint presentation discussing your research.

Ineligibility

The applicant and their advisor cannot have received international/foreign funding within the last 10 years.