International Research Travel Award Program

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 growth of longer-term collaborations, we believe that an International Research Travel Award Program, even a modest one, may make a significant difference.

Purpose

Promote international research collaborations between physicists in developed and developing countries.

Award Amount

Up to $2,000 U.S. for travel and lodging expenses for international travel while visiting a collaborator.

Features

  • Time Limit
    Once awarded, the time limit on the use of the award will be a maximum of 5 years.
  • Bi-Directionality
    The trip can be in either direction. Preference is given to travel from developing countries to developed countries.
  • Preference
    Support for the growth of existing collaborations will be given preference over new ones. An example of an existing collaboration is joint publications. 

Conditions and Criteria

  • Collaborative visit must be for a period of at least one month
  • One co-applicant must be an APS member and a member of one of the APS units that sponsors IRTAP
  • One co-applicant must be from a developing country, and the other must be from a developed country

When rank-ordering applications, consideration will be given to:

  • Merit
    • Past record of research accomplishments and promise of future accomplishments
    • Invited talks to 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
    • Not seeking other available potential support is considered a negative factor

Application Guidelines

Applications are submitted online and must include the following information:

  • Narrative proposal of 5,000 characters (maximum), including:
    • Explanation in detail of the role of the principals in the collaboration
    • Explanation of the expertise or facilities that each co-applicant brings to the proposal
    • Description of how the collaboration became established
  • Lists of up to 5 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)
  • Indicate 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 post-docs from a developing country (2,000 characters maximum)
  • Description of the travel plan and budget (2,000 characters maximum)

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

Awards

Five awards are typically made twice a year for a total of ten awards per year. 

2018 Awardees:
Fereydoon Family, Emory University
David Kieda, University of Utah
Mohit Randeria, The Ohio State University
Anh Nguyen, Vietnam Academy of S&T (VAST)
Federico Rosei, INRS
Walter Tangarife, Loyola University Chicago
Steven Manson, Georgia State University
Francisca Guzman-Lastra, Universidad Mayor
Paula Giraldo Gallo, Universidad de Los Andes
Akshit Goyal, National Centre for Biological Sciences

IRTAP Funding

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

Financial Supporters

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.