SMiRT29 Awards

Robert Kennedy Award

In recognition of Dr. Robert Kennedy’s outstanding contributions to the nuclear industry, IASMiRT bestows this award to the author(s) of the best technical paper on subjects related to Dr. Kennedy’s field of practice :
  • External and internal hazard characterization,
  • Analysis and design of structures, systems, and components, with a particular emphasis on external hazards, 
  • Design codes and standards pertinent to engineering designs, 
  • Risk assessment methodologies for external hazards, including hazard and fragility characterization, 
  • Application of SPRA and other risk analysis techniques, as well as the implementation of risk-informed decisions. 
The ISC will propose eligible papers for further consideration by the IASMiRT board. The IASMiRT board will select the winning paper among the proposed ones, which will receive a US$ 1000 cash prize at the SMiRT29 opening ceremony.

Heki Shibata Early Career Award

In recognition of Dr. Heki Shibata’s significant contributions to the nuclear industry, the objective of the award is to identify and recognize outstanding work of young and early career professionals, defined here as participants who have earned a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of August 2027. At the time of registration, authors have to indicate if they want their paper to be considered for the Heki Shibata Early Career Award. The early career professional must be (a) the first author of the paper, and (b) the presenter of the paper at the conference. 

The ISC will identify papers for further consideration. An expert panel will then rank these papers based on technical merit and innovation. Six finalists will be announced at the SMiRT29 opening ceremony and invited to present their papers in a plenary session. The expert panel will then rank the presentation based on the fluency of the language, the clarity of the presentation and the didactic character of their message. 

Finally, the expert panel will rank the finalists using a composite ranking for paper content and for the presentation. A cash award of €1000 for the winner, and cash awards of €500 and €250 for the first and second runners up, respectively. The winners will be announced at the SMiRT29 closing ceremony.    

Travel Grants

IASMiRT has settled a process to bestow a travel grant to students completing their graduate studies and/or post-doctoral fellows in research areas and/or fields of practice directly related to SMiRT and submitting papers to the conference. A candidate for the scholarship must fulfill the following three points. The candidate must be:
  • a graduate student or a post-doctoral fellows at applicable research program in a recognized university or research center, and 
  • the first author of the paper, and 
  • the presenter of the paper at the (in-person format) conference. 
To be eligible for the travel grant, participants must self-nominate themselves when abstracts are submitted. Therefore, authors need to indicate on the portal if they want their paper to be considered for the travel grant. A participant will need to select one of the three IASMIRT continents, i.e., Americas, Asia, and Europe. In addition, each candidate must provide and upload the following: 
  • a proof of graduate student/post-doctoral fellows’ status, e.g., Student ID or a letter from University Registrar, and 
  • an endorsement letter from the student’s or fellow’s supervisor(s), and 
  • a letter of interest by the student describing the motives for pursuing technical research in the nuclear industry and/or in the field of structural mechanics in reactor technology, and 
  • a brief biography to expose its education, research records/achievements and research topic. 
The selection of the travel grant awardees will be performed, prior to the conference, via three screening stages and as follows: 
  • 1st Screening: Abstract evaluation process, 
  •  2nd Screening: Expert review panel, 
  •  3rd Decision: IASMiRT Board selects final candidates. 
The winners will be announced at the SMiRT29 opening ceremony. 

Notice

It is not possible to be awarded both Kennedy and Shibata awards.