This award is to support chapter attendance to the 2025 Physics Congress. Each chapter awarded will be provided one (1) room for the duration of the congress, (as early as Wednesday night 10/29/2025 through Sunday morning 11/2/2025). A limited amount of additional funding has been earmarked to support any new chapters or chapters that have not been before planning to attend!

If approved, chapters pledge to bring 3-4 students who will present either art or a research poster to the congress, and all must be undergraduate members of SPS. Afterwards, chapters are required to provide a 1000-word write up with two photos or 2 short 60-second videos about their experience at the Physics & Astronomy Congress.

Application Procedure

• Applications should be submitted through the SPS Awards system beginning in January 2025 and will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
• Applications will require two (2) points of contact-- both faculty and an SPS chapter student member.
• Chapters may apply for additional rooms, depending on availability, in August 2025.
• Applications will be open until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility

• If approved, chapters pledge to bring 3-4 students to the congress. If a minimum of 3 students from the school are not registered by Labor Day Weekend may forfeit their room.
• Attending students must be undergraduate members of SPS.
• Each person staying in the provided housing must present either a poster or art during the 2025 Physics Congress.
• Each chapter funded must provide a 500-1000 word article on an assigned topic for the conference. Details will be communicated following approval of award.

The 2025 Physics Congress travel awards are funded, in part, by the generosity of Sigma Pi Sigma members and the American Institute of Physics (AIP). To contribute directly to the Student Success Fund, visit: https://donate.aip.org/

If you are a historically underserved student in physics or astronomy with financial need and are willing to present a poster or artwork at the Congress, you can qualify for a travel award that covers your registration, travel, and lodging for the 2025 Physics & Astronomy Congress! Award recipients are required to provide a 500-word write-up with two photos or 2 short 60-second videos about their experience at the 2025 Physics & Astronomy Congress.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be historically underserved in physics, astronomy, or a related discipline at the time of the meeting.
• Applicants must submit an abstract and present poster or artwork at the 2025 Physics & Astronomy Congress.
  

Application Procedure

The Physics & Astronomy Congress Historically Underserved Student Travel Award is first-come, first-served, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The application requires a certification from an advisor or academic mentor that the applicants are in good standing with the department. The online application will guide applicants through the process of requesting this certification.

Award Details

If you receive a Physics & Astronomy Congress Historically Underserved Student Travel Award, you are required to acknowledge the support that you received by including the SPS logo on your poster. This award will provide funding toward your Physics & Astronomy Congress registration, travel to the meeting location (e.g., airfare), and lodging. The SPS National Office will assist award recipients in making these arrangements.

You are also required to submit either a 500-word report with two photos of what you gained by attending the Physics & Astronomy Congress, or 2 short 60-second videos about your experience.

Program Support

The Physics & Astronomy Historically Underserved Student Awards are funded, in part, by the generosity of Sigma Pi Sigma members and donations to the AIP Foundation.

To apply, please fill out the online application: https://membership.spsnational.org/Login.aspx  

If you are not an SPS member, please contact the national office at sps@aip.org.