NEW YORK, NY — 04 May 2026 — The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education is delighted to announce the allocation of $60,000 in new grants for the year 2026. Established in 1988 to honor the legacy of James L. Nuckolls—an educator and pioneer in lighting design—the Fund is committed to advancing lighting education through annual grants to the advancement or development of collegiate lighting programs, fellowships for educators, and achievement awards for students. These grants are made possible through the generous contributions of individuals and organizations within the lighting community.
2026 Educational Grants
After a thorough review of nineteen proposals (the highest in history of the Nuckolls Fund), the board has awarded three grants in the amount of $20,000 each to distinguished institutions. This year’s grants bring the total support provided by the Fund to $2,160,500 since its inception.
- Nuckolls Fund Grant: A $20,000 grant has been awarded to Tony Esposito at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln to develop a permanent course called “Beyond Illumination: Lighting for Social Impact” for the Architectural Engineering (AE) program at the university.
- Lesley Wheel Grant: A $20,000 grant has been awarded to Farhana Ferdous at Howard University for the development of a new elective course called “Lighting, Health, and the Built Environment: An Interdisciplinary, Evidence-Based Approach.”
- Create Your Own Grant: A $20,000 grant was awarded to develop “An Open Educational Resource for Lighting Educators.” This grant was awarded to primary applicant Stephanie McGoldrick at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and co-applicants Collette Prudhomme Cosminski at the University of Louisiana/Fayetteville; Beth McGee at Georgia Southern University; Alana Pulay at Washington State University; and Mary Ben Bonham at Miami University.
Upcoming Student Achievement Awards
We are also pleased to announce that the recipients of our five student achievement awards will be revealed in the fall of 2026. These awards recognize exceptional talent and promise in the field of lighting design.
The Nuckolls Fund remains dedicated to fostering innovation and excellence in lighting education, ensuring that the legacy of James L. Nuckolls continues to inspire future generations.
About the Nuckolls Fund
The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education was established in 1988 to support college-level lighting programs that enable students to learn, appreciate, and apply the basics of lighting and design. Each year, the Fund solicits proposals from colleges and universities for innovative educational ideas that will inspire students with an understanding of light in architecture. Submissions are evaluated by the Fund’s Board of Directors, which includes people from a cross section of the lighting industry as well as the academic community.
The Fund has been awarding grants in support of lighting programs since 1989.
Media Contact
Jeanne Clemente
Manager, Fund Operations
The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education
914-602-9997
jeanne@nuckollsfund.org