Prizes & Awards

Distinguished Student Program (DS) 2025

The American Physical Society (APS) recognizes the transformative potential of attending APS meetings for outstanding young researchers.

Since 2015, APS and the Forum on International Physics (FIP) have partnered to establish the Distinguished Student Program (DS), providing financial support for distinguished non-U.S. young researchers to attend the APS Joint March Meeting and April Meeting: Global Physics Summit 2025.

In 2025, the Forum of Early Career Scientists (FECS) will once again partner with the DS program to offer postdoctoral awards, further expanding opportunities for early-career researchers.

A special selection will be made for the Excellence in Physics DS Prize in 2025 to further celebrate exceptional young talent.

In 2025, the Distinguished Student Program will include the Esther Hoffman Beller Distinguished Student Travel Award and the Robert E. Marshak Distinguished Student Travel Award.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Citizenship: Non-U.S. citizens.

  • Academic Status: Postdoctoral researchers, Ph.D., or Master’s students, enrolled in institutions within or outside the U.S.

  • Participation: Submission of an accepted abstract to the Global Physics Summit 2025.

  • Membership: Active APS and FIP members.

Not an APS member? Learn how to join the APS

Ph.D. and Master’s students may be eligible for a free one-year trial APS Student Membership. After joining APS (or if you are already an APS member), FIP membership is free.

Grant Amounts

For In-Person participation

The DS travel award will reimburse the following costs related to travel, lodging, and registration fees for attending the Global Physics Summit 2025 in person:

  • Up to $2,000 for young researchers enrolled in developing countries

  • Up to $700 for young researchers enrolled outside the U.S. (excluding developing countries).

  • Up to $500 for young researchers enrolled in the U.S.

For Virtual participation

The DS award will cover registration fees for attending the virtual Global Physics Summit 2025.

Excellence in Physics DS Prize 2025 (only for in-person participation)

To further celebrate exceptional talent, the Excellence in Physics Distinguished Student Grant (Excellence DS Prize) will be awarded in 2025. This prestigious honor is designed to recognize up to 4 outstanding young researchers enrolled outside the U.S. participating at the Global Physics Summit who have demonstrated extraordinary academic achievements and research potential.

Prize Coverage:

The Excellence DS Prize will provide full financial support, including registration fees, travel expenses, and accommodation costs for attending the Global Physics Summit 2025.

  • Up to $2,500 for excellent young researchers enrolled outside the U.S.

Application Requirements

To apply, submit the following documents:

  • A Curriculum Vitae (CV).

  • A motivation letter (maximum 1 page).

  • At least one reference letter.

  • The abstract submitted to the Global Physics Summit 2025.

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted by January 27, 2025.

Apply here

 

For inquiries, contact the DS Program Chair:

Maria Longobardi at marialongobardi@gmail.com

Please note:

Incomplete applications or those from individuals who received a DS award in the past five years will not be considered, except in extraordinary circumstances, which may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The DS awards and Excellence Prize will be communicated to the recipients in February 2025.

The travel awards will be reimbursed after the completion of the meeting. Recipients will receive instructions from the APS Honors Team for how to receive their reimbursement.

 

The membership of APS is diverse and global, and the nominees and recipients of APS Honors should reflect that diversity so that all are recognized for their impact on our community. Nominations of members belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in physics, such as women, LGBTQ+ scientists, scientists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), disabled scientists, scientists from institutions with limited resources, and scientists from outside the United States, are especially encouraged.


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.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Maria Longobardi.