Applications are open for 2026 SPE ACCE, Rehkopf scholarships
Three scholarships, given annually to full-time graduate or undergrad students in polymer science, composites, plastics or related fields, are now accepting applications until April 1.
Source | SPE ACCE
The SPE Automotive Division, the organization committee behind the annual Automotive Composites Conference & Expo (ACCE), invites graduate and undergraduate students to submit applications for three SPE ACCE scholarships and an additional award from the endowed scholarship funded in honor of the late Dr. Jackie Rehkopf, a long-time SPE ACCE volunteer and automotive composites expert.
Applications are due April 1, 2026. Winners will be announced prior to the 2026 SPE ACCE event, Sept. 9-10, 2026, at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, Michigan. The 2026 ACCE theme is “Composites: Advancing Mobility.”
The three ACCE scholarships are $2,000 each. Two of the scholarships, given annually since 2007, are for full-time graduate students who are pursuing degrees in polymer science, composites, plastics or a related engineering discipline. A third ACCE scholarship is available for a graduate or junior/senior undergraduate student pursuing similar academic programs.
Three letters of recommendation are required, one of which must be from the advisor or mentor of the proposed work to be pursued by the applicant. Students must also submit a succinct two-page essay explaining how their planned work will benefit polymer composites usage in an automotive or other ground transportation application. Winners of the ACCE scholarship are invited to attend the 2026 ACCE and will be asked to present their work at the event in 2027.
The Dr. Jackie Rehkopf endowed scholarship, worth $5,000, is for full-time graduate students, with preference given to female students. If no graduate students qualify, then two $2,500 scholarships may be awarded to undergraduate students with junior or senior standing.
Project focus for this scholarship should be on research activities targeted at ground transportation composite technologies. Students must be in good academic standing and pursuing a degree in polymer science, composites, plastics or a related engineering discipline. A two-page essay is required, showing planned work and how it will benefit composites in the automotive or other ground transportation application. One letter of recommendation must come from the student’s advisor or mentor. Scholarship recipients are required to present their research project at an upcoming SPE technical conference and/or have it published in an SPE technical journal.
Scholarship award recipients will receive partial travel stipends, hotel accommodations and free conference registrations to assist with travel expenses. Applications for ACCE, Rehkopf and other SPE scholarships, are on the SPE Foundation website 4spe.org/scholarships.
For more information about these scholarships, contact: Dr. David Jack, Baylor University (254-710-3347 or at David_Jack@baylor.edu).
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