APS Distinguished International Researchers in Areas of Conflict (DIRAC)

About this program

The American Physical Society, supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, administers the DIRAC program to support physicists from conflict-affected regions (students, postdocs, and researchers) whose research or studies have been disrupted, funding virtual and in-person international collaboration, lab visits, conference participation, publication costs, internships and mentorship. Applications are open Sept 2–Oct 31, 2025; travel awards typically range $2,000–$5,000 for visits of at least one month and virtual/conference support up to $1,000, with hosts encouraged to provide in-kind assistance. Eligible applicants are physicists from conflict-affected areas (students must be enrolled or recent graduates); required materials include a CV, personal statement (students ≤400 words), proposal with budget and justification, and a reference letter—researcher applicants must submit a detailed collaborative proposal (roles, expertise/facilities, 200‑word collaboration history, up to five publications), budget/travel or virtual plan, and statement of other support, plus travel/passport information for in-person visits. Selection emphasizes scientific merit, potential career impact and benefits to junior scientists, and the applicant’s conflict-zone access situation; questions and the application form are available via international@aps.org and the APS DIRAC application link.