Neil Ashcroft Early Career Award for Studies of Matter at Extreme High Pressure Conditions
The award recognizes outstanding theoretical or experimental contributions by an early-career scientist to studies of matter at extreme high pressure conditions. This includes static and/or dynamic compressions within the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Earth and Planetary Science, Soft Matter and Biology. The honor is conferred annually and includes of a $5,000 stipend, a certificate citing the contributions of the recipient, and an allowance for travel to an APS meeting to receive the award to deliver an invited lecture at either the biennial SCCM Conference or the APS March Meeting.
Rules and eligibility
The award is open to early-career scientists with at most 10 years of full-time activity between obtaining a PhD and the nomination deadline, allowing for career breaks (e.g. due to child or dependent care, illness, military service, etc.). from all disciplines that engage in research of matter at extreme pressures. The nomination package should describe how the nominee's unique background, ideas and/or experience contribute to our diverse physics community. Nominations must explicitly state the date that the nominee obtained their PhD, and any career breaks.
The prize will be awarded to a single individual either for a single piece of work, or for a sum of contributions. Nominations are active for three years provided the the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline and all eligibility criteria are still met.
Process and selection
- Suggested Citation
- Nomination Letter
- CV or Biographical Sketch
- Support Letters: At least two and up to four additional letters
- Publication List (Optional): A list of the nominee’s most important publications
- Publications (Optional): Up to five reprints or preprints.
Selection Committee
- Paul Specht
- Suhithi Peiris
- Avinash Dongare
- Ryan Austin
- Dana Dattelbaum
- Danae Polsin
Establishment and support
The award is established in 2022 with a generous endowment from Judith Ashcroft and the Ashcroft family.
Recent recipients
Danae N. Polsin
2026 recipient
For pioneering experiments mapping the evolution of electronic and ionic structural complexity of alkali metals to TPa conditions.
Rebecca K. Lindsey
2025 recipient
For outstanding achievements in the creation of machine learning models of reactive materials, including energetic materials under detonation conditions, nano-carbon synthesis, and cluster condensation in molecular liquids under extreme conditions.
Mitchell A Wood
2024 recipient
For the development and application of ground-breaking computational approaches to the study of complex physical processes in materials undergoing dynamic compression, including initiation in energetic materials, strength in metals, and phase change kinetics in compressed diamond.
Richard Kraus
2023 recipient
For extraordinary achievements and leadership within extreme high-pressure science, including novel measurements on material properties, laboratory constraints on planetary evolution, creation of complete equations of state, and the future of programmatic science.
APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.
Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Standards. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.
Neil Ashcroft Early Career Award for Studies of Matter at Extreme High Pressure Conditions
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As approved by the Council of Representatives on April 10, 2025.
APS honors exceptional contributions to the physics community, including travel support for students and early career physicists.