The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education is delighted to announce the allocation of $80,000 in new grants for the year 2025. Established in 1988 to honor the legacy of James L. Nuckolls—an educator and pioneer inlighting 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.
2025 Educational Grants
After a thorough review of ten proposals, the Fund has awarded two grants in the amount of $30,000 each to distinguished institutions and a $20,000 fellowship to an outstanding educator. This year’s grants bring the total support provided by the Fund to $2,080,500 since its inception.
- Edison Price Fellowship Grant: A $20,000 fellowship has been awarded to Dorukalp Durmus, Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. This fellowship enables lighting educators to enhance their expertise by engaging with industry firms or collaborating with established academic programs. https://nuckollsfund.org
- Nuckolls Fund Grant: A $30,000 grant has been awarded to Morgan State University to support the development and enhancement of their lighting design curriculum. This grant aims to expand existing programs and integrate innovative lighting education into their academic offerings. https://nuckollsfund.org
- Nuckolls Fund Grant: A $30,000 grant has been awarded to Louisiana State University for the development of the program titled “Exploring the Impact of Lighting on Perception and Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Approach Integrating Quantitative Analysis, Environmental Psychology, and Virtual Reality.” This initiative seeks to investigate the multifaceted effects of lighting through a comprehensive, interdisciplinary methodology.
Contribute and Learn More
The Nuckolls Fund invites members of the lighting community to contribute to the advancement of lighting education. To make a donation or to learn more about grant opportunities, please visit www.nuckollsfund.org.
Upcoming Student Achievement Awards
We are also pleased to announce that the recipients of our four student achievement awards will be revealed in May 2025.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.