Prize for a Faculty Member for Research in an Undergraduate Institution

To honor a physicist whose research in an undergraduate setting has achieved wide recognition and contributed significantly to physics and who has contributed substantially to the professional development of undergraduate physics students. The prize consists of a $5,000 stipend to the prize recipient and a separate $5,000 unrestricted grant for the research to the prize recipient's institution. An additional allowance will be provided for travel expenses to the APS meeting at which the prize ceremony will take place, and a certificate citing the contributions by the recipient. The prize is presented annually.

Establishment & Support

The prize was established in 1984 by a grant from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, a private foundation for the advancement of science and technology.

Rules & Eligibility

The prize will be given to a physics faculty member at an undergraduate institution. The recipient will have been recognized as contributing substantially to physics research and providing inspirational guidance and encouragement of undergraduate students participating in this research. A nominee must be from the faculty of a predominantly undergraduate institution in the United States. The nominee's department may offer a program leading to a masters degree but shall not have a doctoral program in physics. Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

In addition to the normal requirements for an APS Prize or Award, nominations for this Prize should also include a publication list that highlights student co-authors, including whether these students are high school, undergraduate or graduate students.

Nomination & Selection Process

Deadline: Monday, June 3, 2024

The nomination package must include:

  • A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the qualifications of the nominee(s).

In addition, the nomination should include:

  • A biographical sketch.
  • A list of the most important publications.
  • At least two, but not more than four, seconding letters.
  • Up to five reprints or preprints.

To start a new or update a continuing nomination, please see the Prize & Award Nomination Guidelines.

2024 Selection Committee Members: Daniel Harris (Chair), Rae Robertson-Anderson, Susan Blessing, Neal Abraham, and Daniel Claes

In addition to the normal requirements for an APS Prize or Award, nominations for this Prize should also include a publication list that highlights student co-authors, including whether these students are high school, undergraduate or graduate students.

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, LGBT+ 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.