Spackman Award Grant

The Spackman Award, established by the Society for Organic Petrology, supports graduate students conducting research in organic petrology. Since its inception in 1999, it has provided financial assistance for thesis-related expenses, such as fieldwork and laboratory analyses. Eligible applicants include graduate students worldwide, while past recipients are excluded from reapplying. This initiative honors William Spackman's significant contributions to education in the field, fostering the next generation of organic petrologists.

The Society for Organic Petrology has awarded research grants to graduate students since 1999. In 2005, the grant was named the William Spackman Student Research Award. William Spackman, throughout his career at The Pennsylvania State University, played a leading role in educating many people who are now active in the organic petrology field. Many in TSOP were either Bill's student or had Bill serve on their graduate committee. Graduates at schools such as Southern Illinois, Kentucky, South Carolina, and others, represent the second generation of Bill's influence. His long dedication to coal education has made it appropriate to name this award after him. Bill was highly influential throughout the history of the North American Coal Petrographers, and was the first President-Elect and second President of TSOP. He was made an Honorary Member in 1994.
PurposeThe Spackman Award, formerly known as the TSOP Student Grants Program (originally patterned after the 1998 AAPG Grants In Aid Program), supports graduate thesis research in organic petrology. Research must demonstrate the utility and significance of organic petrology (which includes coal petrology, kerogen petrology, organic geochemistry and related disciplines) in solving the thesis problem.
All applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful, are eligible to apply for one year of TSOP Student Membership at no cost.

Eligibility

The Spackman Award supports qualified graduate students from around the world who are actively seeking advanced degrees.Monetary awards are to be applied to expenses directly related to the student's thesis work, such as field expenses, laboratory analyses, etc. A portion (not to exceed 25%) of the award funds may be used to attend a TSOP Annual Meeting.

Ineligibility

Funds should not be used to purchase capital equipment, to pay salaries, tuition, room, or board during the school year.Applicants who have previously been granted a Spackman Award are not eligible to apply for a second grant under the scheme.