Scholarships
Each year, the Nuckolls Fund offers scholarships to students who have been nominated by their faculty for outstanding excellence in the field of lighting design.
RECIPIENTS
Congratulations to the 2025 Scholarship Recipients
The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education is pleased to announce this year’s scholarship recipients: Michael Lekan-Kehinde, Lauren Heisler, Julian Kotara, and Nazakat Adigozalova.
Paul M. Marantz Lighting Design Scholarship
Amount: $10,000
The Paul M. Marantz Lighting Design Scholarship, initiated in 2026, is offered to a student who exhibits a firm and joyful commitment to the Art, Science, and Craft of lighting design. Paul M. Marantz possessed these attributes in abundance; and so should the successful applicant.
Designers Lighting Forum of New York Award
Amount: $5,000
The Designers Lighting Forum of New York Student Achievement Awards were initiated in 2015. The DLFNY funds two scholarships annually for students who have demonstrated outstanding performance in an established lighting program.
Jules Horton Award
Amount: $5,000
The Jules Horton International student Achievement Award, initiated in 2007, was named in honor of a founder of Horton, Lees, Brogden Lighting Design. An immigrant from Russia and survivor of the Arkhangelsk Islands labor camp, Jules overcame many hardships to become a successful and respected lighting designer in the US.
Jonas Bellovin Award
Amount: $5,000
The Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award, initiated in 2003, was named in honor of the founder of Legion Lighting located in Brooklyn, New York. This award is meant as a reward to a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in an established lighting program.
More Information
How do I nominate a student?
Candidate must be an undergraduate or graduate student in the penultimate year of study at an eligible program of architectural lighting. The Nuckolls Fund identifies eligible programs each year; currently there are 25.
The individuals responsible at these eligible programs nominate one undergraduate and one graduate candidate from their programs and send the Nuckolls Fund a nominating letter. Students do not nominate themselves.
I'm a student, how do I apply for this scholarship?
Students at eligible schools should contact the head of your lighting program to request nomination. The Nuckolls Fund does not accept applications directly from students.
What is the deadline to submit a nomination?
What can scholarship funding be used for?
The Nuckolls Fund Board of Directors determines how scholarship monies may be utilized. Generally, funds may be used only for educational purposes, such as tuition, loan repayment, course materials, course-related travel, and housing.
Student recipients are expected to write a brief report explaining how the money was used and their next steps in lighting.
Is there a fee?
The Nuckolls Fund does not assess any fees to submit or consider any nomination. Contributions made to the fund have no impact on the outcome of any scholarship decisions.
How will I be notified?
Can I submit a late nomination?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept late nominations.
I have questions about this scholarship
Please contact our Fund Operations Manager, Jeanne Clemente (jeanne@nuckollsfund.org) with any questions regarding this scholarship or the nomination process.