IPPA prize and support - [02 May 2026 - IPPA application deadline ]

The International Photoacoustic and Photothermal Association (IPPA) awards up to four prestigious IPPA Prizes.

IPPA Prizes

The Prizes awarded by the IPPA, a non-profit association incorporated in North America with headquarters in Toronto, Canada, are aimed at recognizing and honoring scientists, engineers and medical professionals who have made significant and impactful contributions to the field of Photoacoustic, Photothermal and Diffusion-Wave Sciences and Associated Technologies.

Since 2009 three IPPA Prizes have been awarded biennially during the International Conference on Photoacoustic and Photothermal Phenomena (ICPPP). They are approved by the Selection Committee at any given two-year period leading to an upcoming ICPPP. 

Two prizes are awarded to nominated outstanding senior scientists (over the age of 40), and another prize is awarded to a candidate under the age of 40. 

Senior IPPA Prize and James Smith IPPA Prize (senior scientists over the age of 40)

One of the senior prizes is from an endowment in memory of James Smith. It is designated the IPPA James Smith Prize.

The prizes are awarded for single outstanding contributions or sustained contributions made over a number of years. 

Junior IPPA Prize (candidate under the age of 40)

In the case of young researchers, the prize will be awarded for exceptional promise for future leadership in the field, based on their early contributions. The prizes are awarded from community recommendations and nominations, irrespective of the country, race, or sex of the candidates.

Gerald J. Diebold Prize in Theoretical Photoacoustics and Photothermics

As of 2024, a new IPPA Prize was introduced in honor of Gerald J. Diebold. The new Prize recognizes Professor Diebold’s seminal contributions to theoretical developments in Photoacoustics through his multi-decade active years, his pioneering scientific accomplishments, and his lasting legacy in the field as a co-founder and Director of the IPPA between 2002 and 2020. Originally planned as a quadrennial award, the Prize recently received additional endowment support establishing it on a biennial cycle and was extended to all research areas represented in the ICPPP meetings, becoming known as the IPPA Gerald J. Diebold Prize in Theoretical Photoacoustics, Photothermics and Diffusion Waves. As of 2026 the newly themed Prize is subject to the biennial Selection Committee’s decisions based on submitted nominations at the same time as the rest of the IPPA Prize selection process.

It is a wonderful proof of the international photoacoustic, photothermal and diffusion-wave community’s cohesion and dedication to our science and technologies that the IPPA Prizes have grown from two to four since their inception in 2002. 

Further information at:

IPPA Prizes  cadipt.mie.utoronto.ca/ippa/schedule-for-the-ippa-prize/  

Schedule For The 2026 IPPA Prize

The submission deadline for nominations for the 2026 IPPA Prizes will be Saturday May 2, 2026. 

Complete nominations must be received by the Secretary:

Gustavo V. B. Lukasievicz, Secretary -  gustavov@utfpr.edu.br
Federal University of Technology
Paraná, BRAZIL.