Scholarships and Awards
The George W. Chin Memorial Scholarship
NEAFS and the Chin Family
On September 22, 2016, NEAFS lost one of the pioneers of the Association. George had a passion for forensic science and as a self-appointed “God of Trace Evidence”, he liked to share his knowledge and mentor the younger generation. George was one of the co-founders of the Student Forum at NEAFS, where he would teach students about the realities of a job in forensic science. In addition to NEAFS, he was also a life member of the New Jersey Association of Forensic Scientists (NJAFS), a charter member of the American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE), and a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and the New Jersey Homicide Investigators Association (NJHIA).
A graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice – City University of New York (CUNY), his professional career spanned 36 years with the New Jersey State Police. When George first started in March of 1980, he was briefly assigned to the Equine Laboratory at the Meadowlands, but quickly transitioned to a position at the North Regional Laboratory, where he was able to grow his love for all things Trace Evidence. George loved his work and helped to educate students about our field. He would routinely take his own time to go and lecture to high schools and attend their career fairs. In addition, George has mentored numerous interns over the course of his career, many of whom have him to thank for their current employment!
George’s graciousness was felt by all who came into contact with him and his passing leaves a huge void in the forensic community and in our hearts.
George’s family has graciously set up this Memorial Scholarship fund in his memory and honor.
Application requirements must be emailed by April 30th. Out of fairness to all potential candidates, no exceptions will be made.
Interested candidates should submit the above requirements electronically in a single PDF titled (GWC_Last name_First name_Grad) OR (GWC_Last name_First name_Undergrad) to awards@neafs.org.
Eligibility requirements for the George W. Chin Memorial Scholarship:
•Currently enrolled in a Forensic Science program.
•Full-time undergraduate students in their junior or senior year.
•Full or part-time graduate students (limited to first two years for PhD students).
•The student must demonstrate excellence in his/her academic program.
Application requirements
•Two letters of recommendation (each accompanied with the recommendation form) from Professors involved in the Forensic Science curriculum.
•A letter from the student describing his/her personal aspirations in the Forensics field, achievements and reasons for award consideration. (Minimum of 250 words - maximum of 500 words). This must be provided to the Professors submitting the recommendation letters.
•Applicants should be attending college/university within the area from which the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists draws its members (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania).Most current academic transcripts.
George W. Neighbor Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists is looking for candidates for the George W. Neighbor Jr. Memorial Scholarship award.
Who was George W. Neighbor, Jr.?
George Neighbor started with the New Jersey State Police in the 1970’s as a Criminalistics Supervisor in the North Regional Laboratory in Little Falls, NJ. He was a great trace evidence examiner and an excellent microscopist. George was instrumental in helping to overturn the wrongful conviction of Glenn Woodall in West Virginia which led to the downfall of Fred Zain and help demonstrate the need for quality assurance in forensic science laboratories. Perhaps George’s most lasting legacy was that he was a great teacher and mentor. Many of the young scientists he trained eventually became supervisors in their own right. He was a compassionate and patient mentor who took the time to work with junior scientists making them all better. He was President of NEAFS in 1981 and spoke often at NEAFS and other professional conferences. George was also very involved with the Boy Scouts in Hunterdon County (NJ) and a scout leader for a number of years. George retired in the early 1990's and was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly after the initial diagnosis. The forensic science community and NEAFS lost a great scientist, mentor, leader and a very dear friend. He was and will always be missed and remembered as one of the great ones that touched our professional and personal lives.
The George W. Neighbor, Jr. Scholarship was created and is given out in remembrance of him.
Application requirements must be emailed by April 30th. Out of fairness to all potential candidates, no exceptions will be made.
Interested candidates should submit the above requirements electronically in a single PDF titled (GWN_Last name_First name_Grad) OR (GWN_Last name_First name_Undergrad) to awards@neafs.org.
Eligibility requirements for the George W. Neighbor Jr. Memorial Scholarship
• Currently enrolled in a Forensic Science or related science program.
•Full-time undergraduate students in their Junior or Senior year.
•Full or part-time graduate students (limited to first two years for PhD students).
•The student must demonstrate excellence in his/her academic program.
Application requirements
•Two letters of recommendation (each accompanied with the recommendation form) from Professors involved in the Forensic Science curriculum.
•A letter from the student describing his/her personal aspirations in the Forensics field, achievements and reasons for award consideration. (Minimum of 250 words - maximum of 500 words). This must be provided to the Professors submitting the recommendation letters.
•Applicants should be attending college/university within the area from which the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists draws its members (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania).Most current academic transcripts.
Carol De Forest Student Research Grant
The Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists is looking for candidates for the Carol De Forest Student Research Grant.
​
The Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists lost a dear friend on October 3rd, 2011 when Carol De Forest, wife of Dr. Peter De Forest, lost her battle with cancer. The sight of Peter and Carol De Forest at a NEAFS meeting was as common as trace evidence on bullets, and of course always welcome. Carol invariably greeted everyone with a huge smile followed by a warm embrace. The sincerity with which she made these greetings was obvious. She always had a kind word for everyone and her compliments were genuine. For many of us, Carol’s role and influence went well beyond the Annual Meeting, as she became affectionately known as “The First Lady of Forensic Science”. To honor her spirit and enthusiasm, a student research grant fund has been established. The Carol De Forest Student Research Grant, to be awarded each year, has been designed to provide full time undergraduate or graduate forensic science students with financial assistance to conduct research.
Applicants must complete the application and submit with the required attachments. All submissions must be received and completed by April 30th. The deadline is firm with no extension. Please submit application and all accompanying documents electronically in a single PDF titled (CDF_Last Name_First Name) to awards@neafs.org.
Eligibility requirements for the Carol De Forest
Student Research Grant
• The applicant must be a full-time student completing his or her undergraduate or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution located in the Northeastern U.S. (New England, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania).
• The applicant must be majoring in a natural, allied or forensic science.
• The student must have a research advisor who is a faculty member at the student’s academic institution.
Click the link below if you wish to donate to the Carol De Forest Grant Fund.
Meritorious Service Award
Nominate a fellow NEAFS member for the annual Meritorious Service Award.
​
This award is given to a NEAFS member that has a history of providing commendable service to the forensic science community by serving justice through casework, performing research for the advancement of forensic science, providing training and/or educating forensic scientists and future forensic scientists, and their overall contributions to the NEAFS organization.
If you have someone in mind:
Please submit both the Meritorious Service Award Nomination Form along with a letter of recommendation outlining the nominee’s contributions to awards@neafs.org.
Eligibility Requirements for the Nominee
• Hold the status of being a Regular Member within NEAFS for at least 10 years to be considered.