Athens Institute Undergraduate Physics Competition (AIUPC)
Fostering Excellence in Undergraduate Students Physics Research
About the Initiative
The Athens Institute Undergraduate Physics Competition (AIUPC) is an international competition designed to promote high-quality physics research among undergraduate students internationally, while further strengthening the Institute’s position as a leading platform for academic exchange in theoretical, experimental, and applied physics.
Objectives
- Cultivate rigorous and original physics research among undergraduate students across all fields of theoretical, experimental, and applied physics.
- Connect talented undergraduates with a global network of physicists, academic mentors, and leading research laboratories and institutions.
- Foster meaningful academic exchange through peer competition, expert review, and scholarly dialogue in an international conference setting.
- Provide an early-career platform for undergraduates to present their work, receive expert feedback, and explore postgraduate study and research pathways in physics.
Timeline
30 September 2026 - 31 December 2026
- Submission of abstracts/proposals (application form)
- Decisions will be reached in less than four weeks. All submissions will be evaluated and will receive comments from at least three reviewers.
- Applicants whose proposals are selected will receive an official letter of acceptance.
1 January 2027 - 31 January 2027
Applicants with accepted proposals are required to complete registration. The registration fee is 150€ and covers access to all sessions of the 15th Annual International Conference on Physics (19 & 20 July 2027, Athens, Greece), publications, two lunches, an Official Ancient Athenian Dinner, entrance to Aristotle’s Lyceum, and an educational urban walk including entrance to the Acropolis (Parthenon).
1 February 2027 - 30 April 2027 (Optional)
Applicants may submit a draft paper. The review comments provided can be used to refine and improve the paper before its final submission.
21 June 2027
Deadline to submit the final paper. All submissions must follow the template available here.
19 & 20 July 2027
Oral presentations of papers will take place in parallel with the 15th Annual International Conference on Physics (19 & 20 July 2027, Athens, Greece). All presentations will be included in the official conference program. All participants will receive an official certificate.
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Monday, 19 July 2027 09:00–12:00 Paper Presentations 12:00–14:00 Lunch 14:00–18:00 Paper Presentations 18:00–20:00 Visit Aristotle’s Lyceum |
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Tuesday, 20 July 2027 09:00–12:00 Paper Presentations 12:00–14:00 Lunch 14:00–17:00 Meeting of the Academic and Steering Committee to decide upon the prizes 17:00–20:00 Educational Urban Walk & Acropolis (Parthenon) Visit 20:00–22:00 Official Ancient Athenian Dinner & Announcement of Winners |
Application Submission
Please prepare and submit the following documents as part of your application:
Abstract
Up to 1000 words outlining research topic and method.
Bio
Short academic biography and research interests.
Recommendation
Faculty letter supporting your application.
Academic Record
GPA or university course grades.
Steering & Academic Committee
| Name | Haiduke Sarafian |
|---|---|
| Current Affiliation | Professor Emeritus of Physics and Endowed Chair of John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor of Science Emeritus, Pennsylvania State University, USA |
| Chary Rangacharyulu | Professor, University of Saskatchewan, Canada |
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| Member to be announced | |
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Advisory & Reviewers’ Board
| Member to be announced | |
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PACS Track Committee
| PACS Category | Member 1 | Member 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 00: General Physics | ||
| 10: Elementary Particles & Fields | ||
| 20: Nuclear Physics | ||
| 30: Atomic & Molecular Physics | ||
| 40: Electromagnetism & Fluids | ||
| 50: Gases & Plasmas | ||
| 60: Condensed Matter Physics | ||
| 70: Electronic & Magnetic Properties | ||
| 80: Interdisciplinary Physics | ||
| 90: Astrophysics & Geophysics |
Review Process
All abstract submissions are evaluated and scored anonymously. Authors of accepted abstracts are invited to submit the full paper along with their registration form.
Each paper is assessed and scored by at least three specialists in the relevant field or track. Authors receive reviewers’ comments to help them prepare the final version of their written paper as well as their oral presentation for the conference.
The final ranking is determined by the Steering and Academic Committee based on both the final paper evaluation and the conference oral presentation. Awards are presented during the official dinner ceremony. All presenters receive an official certificate of participation in the oral presentation process.
Collaborating Universities & Institutes
Official university partners of the Athens Institute Undergraduate Economics Competition.