Alice T. Schafer Mathematics

Scholarship Sponsored by Association For Women in Mathematics

Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize

The Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize is awarded by the Association for Women in Mathematics to an undergraduate woman for excellence in mathematics. The prize was established in 1990 and honors Alice T. Schafer, a former AWM president and founding member. The award seeks to recognize outstanding mathematical achievement while broadening the community’s understanding of excellence across diverse institutions and pathways. It emphasizes identifying and encouraging talented women entering the mathematical profession.

Description: The Prize recognizes undergraduate women for exceptional mathematical work and growth, valuing a wide range of accomplishments beyond traditional metrics. Nominations are intended to reflect diverse institutional backgrounds and varied experiences in mathematics.

History of the Award: Established by the AWM Executive Committee in 1990, the Prize commemorates Alice T. Schafer’s long-standing contributions to supporting women in mathematics.

• Established in 1990 and named for Alice T. Schafer.
• Awards undergraduate women for excellence in mathematics.
• Encourages nominations from diverse institutions and paths.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations are submitted through MathPrograms.org and follow a specified annual timeline. The nomination period runs from August 1 to September 15 each year, and nominators must locate the AWM programs list on the MathPrograms site to submit. The committee explicitly welcomes nominations that broaden the definition of excellence beyond elite-institution markers, emphasizing diverse experiences and trajectories. Any person may nominate, self-nominations are allowed, and non-AWM members may serve as nominators.

Application Timeline: Nominations are accepted from August 1 to September 15; submissions must be completed on MathPrograms.org using the AWM nomination entry.

Nominator: Any individual may nominate a candidate; self-nominations require one additional letter of support. Nominators need not be AWM members.

• Submit nominations via MathPrograms.org during the August 1–September 15 window.
• Self-nominations are permitted but require an extra supporting letter.
• The committee values diverse definitions of undergraduate excellence.

Eligibility

Nominees must be undergraduates as of the nomination due date to be eligible for the Prize. No additional eligibility categories are specified in the provided material. The eligibility requirement focuses on current undergraduate status rather than institution type or program affiliation. If a nominee’s status is unclear, the transcript included in the packet should indicate expected graduation date to verify eligibility.

Eligibility: The nominee must be an undergraduate on the date the nomination is due; transcripts should show expected graduation date.

• Eligibility is limited to current undergraduates at the nomination deadline.
• Transcripts should indicate expected graduation date to confirm status.

Nomination Packet

The complete nomination packet must be compiled into a single PDF for submission and should contain documentation that demonstrates the nominee’s accomplishments and potential. Required materials include a letter of nomination (up to three pages) that highlights exceptional qualities and evaluates relevant criteria, a transcript showing expected graduation date, and any pertinent supporting materials such as reports, talks, or recommendation letters. Contact information for the nominee and nominator is provided via the MathPrograms.org cover sheet. All submitted materials become the property of the AWM.

Required Contents: One nomination letter (≤3 pages); transcript with expected graduation date; additional supporting materials as applicable; contact information on the MathPrograms.org cover sheet.

• Submit one PDF containing all materials.
• Nomination letter should evaluate performance, growth, independence, and use of resources.
• Supporting materials (research reports, talks, letters) are optional but encouraged.
• All materials become AWM property after submission.