[American Association of Physics Teachers](https://www.aapt.org)

August 15, 2026 (Annual application deadline)

Up to $1,400 reimbursement for travel, lodging, and registration to attend two consecutive AAPT National Meetings.

Supports new high school physics teachers’ professional development by funding attendance at AAPT National Meetings and providing mentorship.

--- ## Description The Robert L. Lipton Memorial Fund is designed to assist high school physics teachers who are early in their teaching careers—whether recent graduates, career changers, or those transitioning from another subject—by enabling them to attend two consecutive American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) National Meetings. The award honors Robert L. Lipton’s legacy as a leader in science education and aims to foster professional growth, networking, and involvement in the physics teaching community. Awardees receive funding to cover travel, lodging, and registration, as well as mentorship and participation in a virtual professional learning community (PLC). --- ## Due Dates - August 15, 2026: Annual application deadline (receipt of applications for the Robert L. Lipton Memorial Fund) - Previous deadline: August 15, 2025 --- ## Funding Amount - Each awardee may receive up to $1,400 as reimbursement for travel, lodging, and registration for two consecutive AAPT National Meetings. - The funding is intended to cover costs associated with attending the meetings in back-to-back years. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet all the following criteria: - Be a K-12 teacher with less than 10 years of teaching experience in physics. - Be a current member of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). - Demonstrate leadership potential or experience (evidence required). - Be new to teaching high school physics (recent graduates, career changers, or those transitioning from another subject area). --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted online by the annual deadline of August 15 at 11:59pm EDT. - Required materials typically include evidence of eligibility (teaching experience, AAPT membership), a statement of leadership potential or experience, and responses to application prompts. - Awardees are expected to: - Attend two consecutive AAPT National Meetings. - Serve on a community or committee. - Present at least once at one of the two national meetings. - Participate in a virtual professional learning community. - Application portal: [Apply now](https://apps.aapt.org/Travel/verify.cfm) --- ## Additional Information - Recipients are paired with a mentor at the meetings to support their engagement and professional development. - Participation in a virtual PLC is required. - Awardees are expected to contribute to the AAPT community by serving and presenting. --- ## External Links - [Program page: Robert L. Lipton Memorial Fund](https://www.aapt.org/Programs/grants/Robert-L-Lipton-Memorial-Fund.cfm) - [Application portal](https://apps.aapt.org/Travel/verify.cfm) - [AAPT Grants & Scholarships Overview](https://www.aapt.org/Programs/grants/) - [AAPT Membership Information](https://www.aapt.org/Membership/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |---------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [eo@aapt.org](mailto:eo@aapt.org) | | Phone | 301-209-3311 | | Online Contact Form | [AAPT Contact Page](https://www.aapt.org/aboutaapt/organization/contact_us.cfm) | ---

Robert L. Lipton Memorial Fund

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