Nellie Yeoh Whetten Award

Scholarship Sponsored by American Vacuum Society

Description
**Purpose and scope**
AVS is an international professional society of scientists, engineers, and instrument manufacturers focused on surface, interface, vacuum, and thin film science and technology. The Nellie Yeoh Whetten Award exists within AVS to recognize and encourage excellence by women pursuing graduate studies in fields aligned with the society’s interests. The award promotes research visibility and supports recipients’ participation in AVS activities, particularly the International Symposium. It is intended to advance the careers of outstanding female graduate students working on topics that contribute to AVS’s technical mission.

Key takeaways
- AVS supports research and communication in surface, interface, vacuum, and thin film science.
- The Whetten Award specifically recognizes female graduate students in AVS-related fields.
- The award promotes research visibility and participation in AVS events.

Eligibility
**Who may be nominated**
Nominees must be female graduate students registered at an accredited academic institution at the application deadline. Applicants are generally expected not to have completed their degree before the award selection is made. The award may be conferred on an individual only once. Nomination and eligibility requirements are enforced at the time applications are due.

Key takeaways
- Must be a registered female graduate student at an accredited institution at application deadline.
- Normally should not have graduated before award selection.
- An individual may receive the award only once.

Selection Criteria
**Standards for evaluation**
Recipients are chosen on the basis of demonstrated excellence in research and a strong academic record. Evaluations emphasize the technical quality and originality of the candidate’s graduate research within AVS-relevant fields. The Awards Committee uses these academic and research metrics to rank nominees prior to interviews and final selection.

Key takeaways
- Primary criteria are excellence in research and academic performance.
- Evaluation focuses on the technical merit and relevance of graduate research.
- Selection rankings are driven by academic and research accomplishments.

Award Value
**Components of the award**
Awardees receive a cash prize, an official certificate, and reimbursed travel support to attend the AVS International Symposium. The travel reimbursement is intended to facilitate recipient attendance and presentation at the symposium where awardees typically engage with the AVS community. Exact cash amounts and travel reimbursement policies are administered by AVS and may vary by year.

Key takeaways
- Winners receive a cash award and a certificate.
- Travel expenses to the AVS International Symposium are reimbursed.
- Specific monetary amounts and reimbursement rules are set by AVS.

Application Timeline
**Nomination and selection schedule**
Following the Awards Committee meeting in spring or early summer, the committee selects the top ten student nominees to proceed to virtual interviews in late summer. Those ten present their research during the interviews, after which the committee names the final eight awardees. Among the final eight, one top candidate is recognized as the Whetten Award recipient; the full schedule and deadlines are set annually by AVS.

Key takeaways
- Top 10 nominees are invited to virtual interviews after the spring/summer committee meeting.
- Interviews occur in late summer; final eight awardees are selected thereafter.
- One of the final eight is designated as the top Whetten Award recipient.

History of the Award
**Founding and ongoing support**
The Nellie Yeoh Whetten Award was established in 1989 to honor the spirit of Nellie Yeoh Whetten and to promote excellence among women in graduate-level AVS-related research. Funding for the award was provided by Timothy J. Whetten, friends and family of Nellie Yeoh Whetten, and AVS, which together established a fund to sustain the award. The award has continued as a dedicated AVS program to support and recognize female graduate researchers in the society’s technical areas.

Key takeaways
- Established in 1989 in memory of Nellie Yeoh Whetten.
- Funded by Timothy J. Whetten, Whetten’s friends and family, and AVS.
- Created to sustain long-term recognition and support for women in AVS-related graduate research.