APS-EPS-ICTP Travel Award Fellowship Programme (ATAP) 2026

📖 About APS-EPS-ICTP Travel Award Fellowship Programme

The APS–EPS–ICTP Travel Award Fellowship Programme (ATAP) was established to strengthen global scientific exchange. The programme reflects a shared commitment to advancing the principles of open science, collaboration, and capacity building that underpin the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033). It also aligns with the goals of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in 2025, underscoring ATAP’s role in supporting scientific progress and fostering a more inclusive and interconnected global research community.

🎁 Benefits of APS-EPS-ICTP Travel Award Fellowship Programme

• ATAP provides a grant of 5,000 EUR to support the major costs of a two-month consecutive research visit to a participating laboratory in Europe (excluding Italy), North America, or a more advanced developing country.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to outstanding doctoral students and early-career physicists, preferably under the age of 45, who are within 10 years of the completion of their PhD. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a doctoral student or an early-career physicist (within 10 years of the completion of their PhD) and preferably under the age of 45.
• Be a national of a developing country, currently studying or working either in their home country or in another developing country.
• Undertake a two-month visit to a laboratory in the different branches of the physical sciences, with which they already have an established collaboration. Special consideration will be given to applicants returning to their alma mater. Expected outcomes include:
  • Strengthening existing collaborations.
  • Establishing new ones.
  • Advancing world-class research.
  • Enhancing publication records.
  • Making use of laboratory facilities already familiar to the applicant.
• In exceptional cases, applicants may visit a new laboratory if they have changed research direction and can clearly demonstrate why a different host institution is more suitable for their career development.
• Demonstrated proficiency in English or fluency in the language of the host country.

📝 Application Process

Candidates must submit their application by 31 March 2026. Applications should be sent to itlabs@ictp.it with the subject line: “ATAP Fellowships – [Full Name]”.

Required Documents:

1. A complete CV, indicating:
   • Gender.
   • Date of birth.
   • Highest degree attained.
   • Name of the institute from where the degree was attained.
   • Full list of publications.
2. At least one letter of reference from someone other than the host institute (on the referee’s institutional letterhead).
3. A letter of agreement and endorsement from the host laboratory, on their institutional letterhead, including:
   • A brief description of the research to be carried out during the two-month visit.
   • The full name and role of the supervisor.
   • Confirmation that assistance will be provided for visa procedures if a grant is awarded.
   • Provision of a suitable workspace and access to necessary equipment to undertake the research.
   • Assistance in local matters, such as formalizing the stay, finding accommodation, and other related issues.
4. A one-page motivation letter explaining how the visit will benefit the applicant’s research and career, and outlining the expected outcomes in connection with their work at home.
5. A one-page budget plan estimating travel costs and local expenses.
6. Proof of PhD enrolment (for doctoral students only).

📅 Application Deadline

31 March 2026

🔗 Scholarship Application Portal

View details of the APS-EPS-ICTP Travel Award Fellowship Programme.

For further inquiries, contact itlabs@ictp.it.

• ATAP provides a grant of 5,000 EUR to support the major costs of a two‑month consecutive research visit to a participating laboratory in Europe (excluding Italy), North America, or a more advanced developing country.