Programs & Awards

In This Section

In line with our commitment to education and advancing the IP law profession, AIPLA is pleased to extend several annual award opportunities to regular and student members, as well as high school students with an interest in science and technology.

Learn more about each of our awards:

Click here for a list of previous award recipients.

Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholarship Program, sponsored by the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law (formerly the American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation -AIPLEF): For nearly two decades, the Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholar Program has provided financial support for students who are members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and who are exploring a career in IP law. Today, this program offers expanded support for STEM-educated individuals in efforts to secure a legal education and prepare for a career in patent law. It now offers counseling support, internship and clerkship assistance, and assistance securing membership in the patent bar. Scholars engage with experts and leaders in the patent law field during the law school admissions process and throughout their law school experience.

The Foundation’s scholarships are named in honor of Sidney B. Williams Jr., the first African American to hold major leadership roles in both the AIPLA and the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law (ABA-IPL) and who has given, and continues to give, countless hours and boundless energy to influence and assist minority students looking for a future in science and engineering to pursue law school and intellectual property law.

Click here to learn more about the Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholarship program. The deadline for the 2022 class of 1L Scholars is April 30, 2022.