1.The Young Minds Project
The Young Minds (YM) Project is the key program of the European Physical Society (EPS) devoted to boosting the career and the scientific creativity of young physicists around Europe and fostering the creation of an international network of young and motivated researchers (https://www.epsyoungminds.org/). Currently, there are more than 60 Young Minds Section in more than 30 different countries!
2. The Young Minds Sections
The Young Minds Sections are self-managed groups of students hosted by a research institution who receive funding for carrying out scientific initiatives with a positive impact in their career, host institution and cities. YM Sections often develop activities such as:
Educational outreach programs in collaboration with local schools and communities to raise awareness about the importance of scientific research.
Seminars and colloquia devoted to deepen or broaden the knowledge of the members within or without their special field of interest.
Visits to local industries and research labs for boosting the integration between industry and research, while providing an outlook on the possible employment possibilities for recent PhDs, MScs, and graduates.
Organization and participation in international events hosted by yourselves, the Young Minds Project or other YM sections in order to develop a real European network of young researchers.
3. What are the benefits of being a YM Section?
Members of YM Sections benefit from great advantages, including but not limited to the possibility of funding their activities by means of grants devoted to support their actions. The main advantages of being part of a YM Section are:
Activity Grant: EPS Young Minds Sections can apply for an Activity Grant, totaling up to 1000€ per year. This grant is devoted to fund actions in three different categories: professional development (seminars, lectures, short courses, etc.), outreach (youth and adult education events including classroom demonstrations, science fairs, etc.) and networking (events held to promote your Section, to strengthen social ties, to network with scientists, etc.).
Young Minds Conference Award (YMCA): The EPS Young Minds Project offers a 1000€ grant per year to any EPS Young Minds Section that is organizing or co-organizing a conference.
Attendance to the YM Meeting: The EPS YM Leadership Meeting draws together one representative from each Young Minds Section in Europe! It takes place every year in a different European city and it represents a great opportunity for career building and networking.
Possibility of organizing and participating in YM Sessions within congresses sponsored by the EPS or one of its member national societies. Just as the YM Session that will take place in this EuNPC2022!
4. How to set a Young Minds Section and joining the YM Project?
It is really easy; all it takes is to gather at least 4 students or young researchers and a staff member willing to serve as the advisor, get the agreement of the host institution and follow the steps described here: http://www.epsyoungminds.org/how-to-apply/. Membership is open to all young physicists, and people from related disciplines. However, note that all the individual members of a YM Section (including founders and advisors) must be also members of either EPS or one of its member societies. BSc and MSc students are granted free membership by EPS.
5. Do you need further information?
Do not hesitate to visit our FAQ list, https://www.epsyoungminds.org/about-us/frequently-asked-questions/ or send an e-mail to: contact@epsyoungminds.org.
