🎗️Young Scientist Award🎗️
The Scientific Organizing Committee of the International Meridian Circle Program (IMCP) is pleased to invite applications for the 2027 IMCP Young Scientist Award.
The award recognizes exceptional early-career scientists whose creativity, originality, and scientific accomplishments are advancing our understanding of the geospace environment. Applications are welcomed across the full breadth of IMCP research, including observations, modeling, theory, instrumentation, data science, scientific software, and the development of datasets and research services.
Through this award, IMCP aims to celebrate the diversity of approaches, backgrounds, and perspectives that drives progress in geospace and space-weather science, and to support the next generation of researchers contributing to space physics research.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1 December 2026 at 23:59, China Standard Time (CST, UTC+8)
PURPOSE OF THE AWARD
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The 2027 IMCP Young Scientist Award recognizes early-career researchers who have made significant and original contributions to geospace or space-weather science, who have actively contributed to IMCP-related research, and whose future work shows exceptional promise.
Eligible contributions may include, but are not limited to:
ground-based observations and their scientific interpretation;
development or improvement of instruments, observing techniques, and facilities;
theoretical, empirical, or numerical modeling;
data science, machine learning, and advanced analysis methods;
scientific software, data products, databases, and open research infrastructure;
integration of observations, models, and data-driven methods;
research leadership, including the establishment of new research initiatives, public outreach initiatives, collaborative programmes, and scientific communities; and
interdisciplinary research that advances geospace and space-weather science.
Contributions from observations, modeling, theory, instrumentation, software development, data science, research leadership, and public outreach will be considered on an equal basis.
ELIGIBILITY
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Applicants should normally have defended their PhD no more than eight years before the application deadline.
Applicants at any career stage within the eight-year eligibility window are encouraged to apply. Applicants of all nationalities are invited to apply.
Extensions to the eligibility period may be granted for documented career interruptions, including parental leave, childcare responsibilities, caregiving responsibilities, military service, long-term illness, or other significant circumstances that have interrupted the applicant’s scientific career.
Participation in the IMCP Workshop is a condition of receiving the award. Applicants must be available to participate in the workshop on Mar 1-5, 2027 in Beijing.
APPLICATION
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Applications may be submitted by the candidate or as a nomination by a PhD supervisor, colleague, or scientific collaborator who is familiar with the candidate’s work.
Applications must include the following:
1. Curriculum Vitae
The curriculum vitae must not exceed two pages and should include:
full name and a current contact email address;
current position and institutional affiliation;
education and academic qualifications;
date of PhD defence;
relevant previous research positions;
a brief description of the applicant’s research area;
five key publications or other major scientific outputs;
a brief statement describing the applicant’s individual contribution to each selected output;
a concise description of the applicant’s main scientific contributions and their scientific impact;
selected awards, fellowships, competitive grants, leadership roles, establishment of new research or public outreach initiatives, or major contributions to instruments, models, software, datasets, or scientific infrastructure;
ORCID or another persistent researcher identifier; and
where applicable, a brief statement describing career interruptions relevant to the eligibility period.
2. Recommendation Letter
One recommendation letter, with a maximum length of one page, must be submitted.
The recommendation letter may be written by the applicant’s PhD supervisor, a colleague, or a scientific collaborator who is familiar with the applicant’s research.
The letter should describe the applicant’s scientific achievements, individual contributions, originality, independence, and potential for future impact.
3. Workshop Abstract
The application must include the title of the abstract submitted to the IMCP Workshop.
SUBMISSION
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The application materials should be combined into a single PDF file and submitted to: Yang Fang fyang@nssc.ac.cn
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1 December 2026 at 23:59 China Standard Time (CST, UTC+8).
Consideration of late or incomplete applications cannot be guaranteed.
SELECTION
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The selection decision will be finalized by 5 January. Selected applicants will be notified directly by email at the contact email address provided in their curriculum vitae.
AWARD AND USE OF FUNDS
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A maximum of ten awardees may be selected.
Each selected awardee will receive a cash award up to CNY 10,000. The funds may be transferred directly to the awardee's bank account or used to support their travel to and participation in the IMCP Workshop and related activities.
Detailed payment, reimbursement, documentation, and tax procedures will be communicated to successful applicants.
The award will be formally presented at the IMCP Workshop on Mar 1-5, 2027 in Beijing. Awardees must participate in the workshop to receive the award.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AWARD RECIPIENTS
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Recipients should acknowledge IMCP support in publications, presentations, or other outputs that arise directly from the supported work or conference participation.
Recipients may also be invited to present their research or participate in an award session during the IMCP Workshop.
For further information, please contact: Yang Fang fyang@nssc.ac.cn