IUPAP-IAPS Outstanding Student Award

Applications will open on 15^th of November 2026

Introduction

The International Association of Physics Students, serving as the Affiliated Commission 5 (AC5) of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), is honored to present the IUPAP-IAPS Outstanding Student Award (OSA).

Founded in 1922, IUPAP has a dedicated mission to assist in the worldwide development of physics, to foster international cooperation in physics, and to help in the application of physics toward solving problems of concern to humanity. For more information, please visit here.

Since its inception in 1987, IAPS has actively encouraged scientific engagement between physics students worldwide, embodying its motto: “by Physics Students, for Physics Students.”

It is time for this engagement to be rewarded!

Honoring the pursuit of science for all, the IUPAP-IAPS OSA aims to promote diversity and inclusion within the global physics community. It ensures talented individuals from diverse backgrounds are recognised for their contributions, thus supporting a more inclusive environment for all students.

Award

The OSA  signifies a milestone in one’s career, inspiring continued pursuit of knowledge and engagement in the field of Physics.

1st place: CHF 1,000 cash prize, as well as distinguished certificates from IUPAP and IAPS.

2nd and 3rd place: Distinguished certificate from IAPS.

Eligibility

• Students enrolled in a university or similar institution on a physics or physics-related course at the level of Bachelor, Master, or PhD, as well as up to twelve months after receiving a degree from a university or similar institution.
  
• Candidates must be current members of IAPS.
  In order to fulfill IAPS membership, candidates must be affiliated with an IAPS Territorial or Local Committee, or be an IAPS Individual Member (for regions not covered by a Committee). See the full list of IAPS Committees here. To become an Individual Member of IAPS, or for any questions regarding membership status, please contact recruitment@iaps.info. 

• Note: Members of the IAPS EC and the AC5 Council of terms 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27 are not eligible to apply! 

Deadline

The deadline for submitting applications is (this also includes the recommendation letters from your referees):

15^th of February 2027

Late applications will not be considered under any circumstances.

We strongly encourage applicants to complete their submissions well in advance of the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

How to Apply

Self-nomination is welcomed and encouraged. All application materials, including letters of reference, must be submitted via the designated application portal.

Link to the application portal: osa.iaps.info

Submissions through any other means will not be accepted. For any inquiries, please contact ac5-council-osa@iaps.info.

Note: Once submitted, applications on the portal cannot be modified. Please ensure all information is accurate and finalized before submission.

Candidacy Requirements

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Length: 1–3 pages.
• Links permitted.
• Emphasis on physics-related associative work and community building, academic achievements and professional experience.

Personal Statement

• Length: 1–2 pages.
• Links not permitted.
• Address scientific and academic achievements, including any challenges that may have impacted the candidate’s academic path.
• Highlight involvement in student engagement activities, particularly those aligned with IUPAP and IAPS missions and values.

Video Questions

• Questions: 2 questions to be answered in one video (provided below)
• Duration: 120 seconds maximum
• Submit a link to your video. Choose a video platform of your choice. We suggest either YouTube (make sure to upload the video as “not listed” such that only people with the link have access) or Google Drive (please turn on link sharing).
• Question 1: Explain how your profile aligns with the values that the OSA aims to honor.
• Question 2: How would others define you as a leader, and how does that differ from the leader you aspire to become? 

Recommendation Letters

• Minimum: At least one recommendation letter.
• Maximum: A maximum of three is allowed. 
• Recommendation letters must address both aspects of the award scientific excellence and associative engagement or a separate letter may be provided for each aspect.
• Referees must submit their recommendation letters on their own. Upon application submission, an automatic email containing a link will be sent to the referee(s). This link is valid for two weeks. It is the candidate’s responsibility to confirm that the referee has agreed to act in this role before submitting the application.
• The content of the letter is prioritized over the referee’s reputation.

Declaration of Consent

• Please download the form by clicking here.
• This Declaration of Consent must be filled out completely, signed and submitted with the rest of the application documents.

Evaluation Criteria

Associative Engagement

• Involvement and dedication in associative activities, particularly those benefiting the scientific physics community
• Leadership roles and responsibilities in local, national, and/or international organizations or initiatives
• Demonstrated commitment and sustained engagement, with creativity and innovation in promoting physics
• Recognition or distinctions related to associative engagement (if applicable)

Scientific Excellence

• Progress and dedication demonstrated throughout the candidate’s educational path
• Focus and effort in advancing in any physics related field(s)
• Consideration of distinctions, awards, fellowships/scholarships, and breadth of expertise

Personal Motivation

• Does the applicant reflect the values that OSA strives to honor?
• Based on video questions & personal statement

Note: The candidate’s current stage of education (Bachelor, Master, or PhD) will be taken into account during the evaluation process to ensure a fair evaluation within the context of their current academic level and available resources.

Previous Winners

2026 EDITION:

1^st Place) Shreyashi Manna (Shiv Nadar University, India)

2^nd Place) Emerson Franzua Aldana Gavarrete (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Honduras)

3^rd Place) Şimal Şeker (Middle East Technical University, Turkey)

3^rd Place) Danyil Dorosh (University of Wroclaw, Poland)

2025 EDITION:

1^st Place) John-Ryan Lawrence (Texas A&M University-Kingsville, USA)

2^nd Place) Adriana Gutierrez Marrero (Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica)

3^rd Place) Valerio Tinari (Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy)

2024 EDITION:

1^st Place) Conor Ryan (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)

2^nd Place) Leonor Andrade (University of Porto, Portugal)

3^rd Place) Maurice Rieger (Technical University of Munich, Germany)

3^rd Place) Mikołaj Zawadzki (University of Warsaw, Poland)

Contact

Please contact ac5-council-osa@iaps.info if you have any questions.