Honors & Awards

DSOFT highlights exceptional scientists every year by offering several types of awards.

Early Career Award for Soft Matter Research

To recognize outstanding contributions by a young researcher to the field of soft matter.

Emerging Soft Matter Excellence (ESME) Award

The Emerging Soft Matter Excellence (ESME) Award recognizes an exceptional graduate student pursuing research in soft matter physics. 

Future Investigator Travel (FIT) Award

DSOFT invites student, postdoc and early-career DSOFT members who are presenting their soft matter research at professional conferences to apply for Future Investigator Travel (FIT) grants of up to $500 to support conference travel and registration fees.


March Meeting Poster Prize

To recognize the winners of the poster prize at the APS March Meeting.

Gallery of Soft Matter

The Gallery is intended to showcase the aesthetic and elegance of soft matter systems, to be shared both with fellow researchers and the general public. Teams led by students or postdocs are invited to submit videos or posters. Winners are are chosen for their combination of striking visual qualities and scientific interest. This competition is distinct from the regular Soft Matter Poster competition, which focuses on more technical content.

Event Sponsorship Funding

Organizers of non-APS conferences, symposia and workshops are invited to apply to DSOFT for sponsorship of up to $500 for their event and for advertisement on the DSOFT website.


APS Fellowship

The APS Fellowship Program was created to recognize members who may have made advances in physics through original research and publication, or made significant innovative contributions in the application of physics to science and technology. They may also have made significant contributions to the teaching of physics or service and participation in the activities of the Society.


Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.