APS Chapters

APS chapters support graduate students, postdocs, and early career scientists at their colleges, universities, and national laboratories.
APS chapter members at a chapter-hosted movie night

How APS chapters support their members

APS chapters connect graduate students, postdocs, and early career scientists and focus on their needs at specific institutions. Examples of ways that chapters support their members include:

  • Advocating on graduate student pay
  • Creating multimedia physics resources
  • Advancing professional development and networking opportunities
  • Fostering equity and advocacy efforts

Participating institutions

Engagement in an APS chapter develops graduate students, postdocs, and early career scientists into future leaders in the physics community. Find out if there is an APS chapter at your institution:

  • Arizona State University
  • Drexel University
  • Florida State University
  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Rice University
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
  • The Ohio State University
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • The University of Texas at Arlington
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Houston
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison

Contact the APS chapters staff to connect with a chapter

Chapter success stories

APS chapters creatively address challenges on their campuses and in physics.

APS Chapter members at Arizona State University are creating videos that uplift unique research for a broad audience.

This APS Chapter is winning raises for graduate teaching and research assistants while volunteering nationally and locally.

Members of this APS Chapter in Texas are fostering fun and camaraderie across their campus and beyond.

Postdocs at this APS Chapter are forging networks that strengthen the physics community.

APS chapter mission

All APS chapters must abide by the mission statement. The mission of APS chapters allows this initiative to achieve the goals of supporting the development of graduate students, postdocs, and early career scientists as colleagues and future leaders while building cohesive communities that strengthen the discipline of physics.

Career advancement

Develop opportunities for networking and career development

Inclusion & equity

Empower individuals to build and promote inclusive and equitable communities

Learning & practice

Support learning and practice for all, including those from underrepresented groups

Policy issues

Inform and facilitate engagement on policy issues impacting the profession

Chapter requirements and membership eligibility

Chapters do not pay dues to APS, but they must meet certain requirements, including membership requirements, to remain in good standing:

  • Only one chapter can be associated with a particular university, institution, or other organization
  • At least five chapter members must also be members of APS
  • The chapter faculty/staff advisor must also be a member of APS
  • The chapter must host at least one event per semester
  • The chapter must submit an annual report to APS

Chapter member eligibility

APS membership is not required for chapter membership. However, to be in good standing, a chapter must have at least five members who are also APS members. Additionally, only APS members are eligible to hold chapter officer positions or receive APS chapters grants or awards.

Review the full APS chapter governance

Contact

For more information about the APS chapters initiative, contact APS chapters staff.

Related

Joining APS connects you to other students, mentors, funding opportunities, and ways to advance your education and career in physics.

Student ambassadors serve as a voice for physics by building inclusive communities at colleges and universities around the world.

Find your professional home in a diverse physics community and actively engage in scientific education, research, and advocacy.

Connect with others who share your special interests in physics, advance your career, find mentorship opportunities, and more.

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