How We Support Physicists

Housing

All physicists staying in ACP-arranged housing during the summer program receive a subsidy from our NSF grant to reduce lodging expenses. During winter conferences support varies depending on grants from other entities obtained by the conference organizers and distributed by them.

International Participants

The Simons Foundation generously provides funds to support physicists from countries where science funding is not strong or from economically disadvantaged countries. Applicants who are accepted to the summer program will receive letters of acceptance that include information about Simons funding, if the country in which they work is eligible that year.

Early-career Participants

The Shaham and Trustee Funds cover a portion of the travel expenses for a limited number of early-career participants. The Block fund supporting one promising young physicist per winter conference is awarded by the conference organizers. The Durand Fund also supports early-career scientists and their families.

Families & Childcare

The Ramond Family Fund and Paula Johnson Family Fund provide support to families coming to the summer program for expenses including travel, childcare, and activities.

How Your Gift Makes An Impact

Annual FundOur annual fund is designated by the Board of Trustees to further Center programs, including our summer workshops and winter conferences.

Legacy GivingA planned gift is a lasting investment in the Aspen Center for Physics, advancing our mission and ensuring our ability to provide a “circle of serenity” for thousands of theoretical physicists, as we have done for more than 60 years. Your gift from a will, trust, or financial account will help support the Center for years to come and leaves a lasting legacy for science.

Bicycle FundSupports the fleet of bicycles which are available free to physicists.

Block Award FundNamed in honor of Martin and Beate Block, is a prized award given to one promising junior physicist during each winter conference.

Paula Johnson Family Support FundPaula Johnson was Finance Manager at Aspen Center for Physics for 14 years. Paula's unique relationship with the community of physicists who passed through the Center has been commemorated through the Paula Johnson Family Support Fund. This fund was established in 2016 in memory of her welcoming spirit and enthusiasm for helping families have fun together during the Aspen Summer Program. Donations to this fund help to support where needed, including child care assistance and supporting family activities.

Ramond Family FundPierre Ramond, a former ACP President, and his three daughters, now grown, happily recall their many summer trips to Aspen. They established this fund in 2008 to encourage physicists to bring their children with them to develop wonderful family memories of their own. Donations to this fund help to support where needed, including child care assistance and supporting family activities.

Durand FundBernice and Randy Durand have supported the Center in countless ways since its inception in 1962. In 2020, they donated funds to create a lasting legacy of helping young physicists, especially women and members of underrepresented groups who might not otherwise participate, to participate in the Center's programs for periods long enough to obtain its full benefits.

Shaham FundPhysicists donated to this fund in memory of Jacob Shaham who died in 1995 and came to Aspen for 17 years between 1971 to 1990. This fund offers travel support to junior scientists traveling to Aspen from Israel.

Tree FundOne of the defining aspects of our campus is our landscaping, including a wide variety of local trees which provide shade to physicists working and meeting outside. Donations to this fund support our effort to replace old aspen trees and develop a mixed forest.

Trustee FundThe Trustee Fund honors deceased former trustees who volunteered their time to shape the Center into a collaborative campus that is conducive to deep thinking with few distractions or demands. To date, the fund honors Elihu Abrahams, Phil Anderson, Jeremy Bernstein, Steve Berry, Peter Carruthers, Michael Cohen, Stirling Colgate, Bob Craig, David De Young, Bernice Durand, Bill Frazer, Edward Hudson, Peter Kaus, Sydney Meshkov, Dick Norton, Malvin Ruderman, David Schramm, Richard Slansky, George Stranahan, Lincoln Wolfenstein, and Fred Zachariasen. Donations in memory of deceased trustees are allocated to this fund and help to support junior scientists to attend the summer program.

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