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Call for Best Master Thesis and Best PhD Thesis Awards 2026

Master degree awarded by an Italian Public University, PhD conducted in Italy or in collaboration with Italian institutes.
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CSC Italy

The Italy Chapter of the IEEE Council of Superconductivity (CSC) invites applications for the 2026 Best MSc Dissertation Award and for the 2026 Best PhD Dissertation Award.

Established in 2016, the IEEE CSC Italian Chapter aims to bring together researchers from academia and industry working in the broad field of Applied Superconductivity. The awards recognize outstanding master (MSc) and doctoral (PhD) degree theses that are innovative, technically sound, and relevant to practice, contributing to the advancement of superconductivity from methodological and/or application perspectives. 

Eligibility 

Applications are invited for Master Theses that meet all of the following criteria: 

  • Master degree awarded between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, by an Italian Public University 

Applications are invited for PhD dissertations that meet all of the following criteria: 

  • Research mainly conducted in Italy or in collaboration with Italian institutes, with at least one PhD advisor affiliated with an Italian institute 
  • PhD degree awarded between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 

Topics of Interest 

Dissertations may address any area related to Applied Superconductivity, including but not limited to:  

  • Electronic applications, covering thin‐film device fabrication, system integration, and circuit‐level technologies. This category includes Josephson junction–based analog and digital circuits, qubits and quantum‐system electronics, SQUID devices, superconducting detectors (including nanowire single‐photon detectors and kinetic‐inductance detectors), and microwave components. Topics span fabrication methods for LTS, HTS, and qubits; packaging and interconnects; testing and metrology; digital logic and memory architectures; quantum‐system readout and control electronics; and emerging devices such as mesoscopic and topological circuits. 
  • Large‐Scale applications, covering magnets, cryogenic systems, and power‐application devices operating at significant size or energy scale. This area includes superconducting RF structures, magnets for accelerators, fusion devices, medical imaging, and very‐high‐field systems; motors, generators, and propulsion systems; levitation and transportation technologies; and applications in power transmission such as fault‐current limiters, transformers, flux pumps, and superconducting cables. It also covers system‐level modeling, AC‐loss studies, cryogenic integration, test facilities, and AI/ML tools for large‐scale system design. 
    • Materials science and technology, focusing on the development, characterization, and performance of superconducting materials across all families: low‐temperature superconductors (Nb‐Ti, A15, Nb3Sn), MgB2, Bi‐based 2212/2223, coated conductors (ReBCO), bulk superconductors, cuprates, pnictides, chalcogenides, and emerging systems such as nickelates and photo‐induced superconductors. Topics include critical‐current behavior, flux pinning, mechanical properties, conductor processing, strain dependence, thin‐film and multilayer technologies, materials for superconducting RF systems, and materials enabling superconducting quantum technologies. AI/ML‐based materials design and characterization are also included. 

Selection Process 

The selection will be conducted by a review board. Evaluation criteria include: 

  • Originality and depth of contribution 
  • Methodological soundness 
  • Quality and clarity of presentation 
  • Significance for the CSC research field 

Submission Instructions 

Candidates must submit a single PDF file containing: 

  1. One-page abstract written by the candidate specifically for the purpose of the application, describing: 
  • application context and potential 
  • significance of the problem addressed in the thesis 
  • technical approach 
  • main achievements 
  1. Full Master or Doctoral dissertation (PDF) 

The application and thesis submission form can be found at this link. 

Important Dates 

  • Submission deadline: June 19, 2026 (strict) 
  • Notification of award: July 31, 2026 

Award and Recognition 

  • The winner of the Master Thesis Award will receive a €300 monetary prize 
  • The winner of the PhD Thesis Award will receive a €600 monetary prize 

Winners will receive: 

  • official acknowledgment by the IEEE CSC Italy Chapter 
  • visibility on the Chapter website and social media 
  • Possible invitation to an award ceremony including a thesis presentation, subject to the availability of an IEEE CSC Italy Chapter–associated or supported event with a compatible schedule. 

The award is organized by the IEEE Council of Superconductivity – Italy Chapter, with the support of the IEEE Council of Superconductivity

Apply Here