Applications are open for 2024 SPE ACCE, Rehkopf scholarships

The organizing committee for the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE, Brookfield, Conn., U.S.) 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, 2024 and winners will be announced prior to the 2024 SPE ACCE event, taking place. Sept. 4-6, 2024 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan (in the Metro-Detroit area).  

The three ACCE scholarships are worth $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 or 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 provide a succinct two-page essay explaining how their planned work will benefit polymer composites use in an automotive or other ground transportation application. Scholarship recipients are required to present their research project at the 2025 ACCE conference.    

The Dr. Jackie Rehkopf endowed scholarship ($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.

The focus should be on research activities targeted at ground transportation composite technology. 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 can be found on the SPE Foundation website.

For more information on the ACCE and Dr. Jackie Rehkopf scholarships, contact Dr. David Jack, Baylor University via phone (254-710-3347) or email at David_Jack@baylor.edu.