The Institute of Particle Physics (IPP) is a Canadian organization that fosters expertise in

particle physics Particle physics or high-energy physics is the study of Elementary particle, fundamental particles and fundamental interaction, forces that constitute matter and radiation. The field also studies combinations of elementary particles up to the s ...

research and advanced education. IPP is a

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

operated by the institutional and individual members for the benefit of particle physics research in Canada. IPP supported projects can be accessed on the group's website. Currently, the IPP Scientific Council administers the IPP Research Scientist Program. The IPP director and council focus on future planning, advocacy with funding sources, and on its activities in international public relations.

History

The IPP was established in 1971 to administer anticipated funds from the

National Research Council Canada The National Research Council Canada (NRC; ) is the primary national agency of the Government of Canada dedicated to science and technology research and development. It is the largest federal research and development organization in Canada. Th ...

to steer the Canadian program working at

Fermilab Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), located in Batavia, Illinois, near Chicago, is a United States Department of Energy United States Department of Energy National Labs, national laboratory specializing in high-energy particle phys ...

, Argonne National Lab, and

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, originally named the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, is a Federally funded research and development centers, federally funded research and development center in Menlo Park, California, Menlo Park, Ca ...

. IPP formed a Scientific Council, elected by the membership, to be responsible for the Scientific program and the operation of the Institute. IPP council vetted projects and advocated within the funding regime and internationally. Eventually, the

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC; , CRSNG) is the major federal agency responsible for funding natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. NSERC directly funds university professors and students as ...

(NSERC) developed better communication with, and funding model for, experimental groups, alleviating the need for IPP to directly administer research grant funds.

Community support

Long range planning

An important part of the Institute of Particle Physics’ mission is to coordinate community input for long range planning exercises. This involves solicitations of community input, hosting of

town hall meetings Town hall meetings, also referred to as town halls or town hall forums, are a way for local and national politicians to meet with their constituents either to hear from them on topics of interest or to discuss specific upcoming legislation or ...

where the projects underway and future projects are discussed, and the concerns of the community can be aired. This input results in the preparation of a brief, usually solicited by NSERC, that serves as input to the Subatomic Physics long range planning exercise.

IPP Early Career Theory Fellowship

The Institute of Particle Physics Early Career Theory Fellowship is designed to enable outstanding

theory A theory is a systematic and rational form of abstract thinking about a phenomenon, or the conclusions derived from such thinking. It involves contemplative and logical reasoning, often supported by processes such as observation, experimentation, ...

PhD students and

postdoctoral researcher A postdoctoral fellow, postdoctoral researcher, or simply postdoc, is a person professionally conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies (typically a PhD). Postdocs most commonly, but not always, have a temporary acade ...

s to be present for a period at an international university, laboratory, or institute. The purpose of the

fellowship A fellow is a title and form of address for distinguished, learned, or skilled individuals in academia, medicine, research, and industry. The exact meaning of the term differs in each field. In learned or professional societies, the term refers ...

is to encourage scientific collaboration between theorists in Canada and those abroad, and also to enhance the career prospects of the junior researcher.

IPP high school teacher awards

The Institute of Particle Physics has supported Canadian high school teachers attending the CERN high school teacher program.

IPP summer student program

The Institute of Particle Physics supports Canadian undergraduate students participating in the CERN summer student program.

References

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External links

Official website
1971 establishments in Canada Particle physics Science education in Canada