LIGO Thesis Prize

Description: The LIGO Laboratory and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) award a biannual prize for the outstanding Ph.D. thesis written based on research carried out within LIGO (either the LIGO laboratory or the LSC).

Theses describing research conducted on any aspects of research on gravitational waves are eligible. Theses will be judged on 1) originality and creativity of the research, 2) importance to the field of gravitational waves and gravitational wave detection, broadly interpreted, and 3) clarity of presentation.

Eligibility: The award is made on a biannual basis, with the initial period covering the period from June 1, 2003 to May 31, 2005; theses must be accepted by their institutions within the above period. To qualify, the thesis must have been submitted to an LSC member institution in partial fulfillment of the Ph. D. requirement or be based on research carried out in collaboration with an LSC member group. It must have been submitted in electronic form to the LIGO Laboratory DCC in accordance with LIGO Laboratory policy. The thesis need not be in English -- the selection committee may use consultants to help evaluate theses in other languages. The selection committee will make the final determinations about eligibility.

Nominations: Nominations should be submitted to the LSC Spokesperson by June 1, 2005. The nomination package consists of a letter of nomination from the thesis sponsor, three copies of the thesis and an optional supporting letter. In cases where the thesis was not submitted to an LSC member institution, the nomination letter should indicate the collaborative arrangement with LIGO under which the research was carried out.

Nomination Deadline: June 1, 2005

The Thesis Prize will be presented at the August LSC meeting following the closing date for nominations. The recipient will receive a certificate of recognition and a prize of $1,500. If the recipient is affiliated with an LSC member institution at the time of this meeting, his/her travel to the meeting will be paid by the LIGO Laboratory.