International Research Travel Award Program

Applications are not currently being accepted. APS expects a new call for applications to be announced in the coming months.

Background

Following the initiative of the APS Forum on International Physics (FIP), the sponsors of the APS International Research Travel Award Program (IRTAP) recognize that funding for collaborations between developed and developing country scientists is often insufficient to meet existing needs and opportunities.

While the needs are great, and though we have only limited resources to stimulate the growth of longer-term collaborations, we believe an International Research Travel Award Program, even a modest one, may make a significant difference.

Purpose

To promote international research collaborations between physicists in developed and developing countries.

Travel Grant Amount

Up to $2,000 US for travel and lodging expenses while visiting a collaborator abroad.

Conditions & Criteria

Support for the growth of existing collaborations will be given preference over new ones. An example of an existing collaboration is joint publications.

Applicants for this travel grant must meet the following criteria:

  • One co-applicant must be an APS member and a member of an APS unit that sponsors IRTAP. Please review the IRTAP Sponsoring Units
  • One co-applicant must be from a developing country and the other must be from a developed country
  • The trip can be in either direction, but preference is given to travel from developing countries to developed countries
  • The visit must be for a period of at least one month
  • The travel grant  must be used within two years

When reviewing applications, consideration will be given to:

  • Merit: A past record of research accomplishments and promise of future accomplishments as well as invited talks be delivered during the trip, particularly at APS-sponsored meetings
  • Need: Under-represented countries and ethnic groups will be given priority
  • Other funding: Resources from other sources with matching funds (leverage) is a positive factor, while not seeking other available potential supports is considered a negative factor

Application Guidelines

Applications must include:

Narrative Proposal

The narrative proposal should include:

  • An explanation, in detail, of the role of the principals in the collaboration
  • An explanation of the expertise or facilities that each co-applicant brings to the proposal
  • A description of how the collaboration became established

Additional Application Materials

In addition to the narrative proposal, the application should also include:

  • Lists of up to five of the most relevant publications of each of the two co-applicants, including papers co-authored by the co-applicants, if relevant
  • Statement of financial support from an appropriate representative of other sources (leverage)
  • Indication of which co-applicant is a member of one of the APS units that sponsors IRTAP (specify which unit)
  • Outline of benefits to junior scientists, students, or postdocs from a developing country
  • Description of the travel plan and budget

Application Review

The Executive Committee of FIP, with assistance from the Committee on International Scientific Affairs (CISA), the APS International Affairs department, and other sponsoring APS units, is responsible for managing the review process.

Number of Travel Grants

Five travel grants  are typically awarded twice a year for a total of 10 grants per year.

IRTAP Funding

FIP and CISA thank its funding partners for their support of this program. We also seek support from additional APS units. With additional funding, larger awards with broader aims and a relaxation of the restriction on APS membership are anticipated.

Financial supporters include:

Units Sponsoring IRTAP

Applicants must be current APS members and a member of a sponsoring unit.
Gray arrow IRTAP Sponsoring Units

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.