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The specialist group have an awards programme to reward excellence by young scientists in the field of Condensed Matter and Materials Science.

Category 1: Best Publication

For the most outstanding publication (in a Scientific Journal) in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by a student from a Doctoral Thesis submitted at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.

1. The GoodFellow PhD. Publication Award: For the most outstanding publication (in a Scientific Journal) in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by a student from a Masters Dissertation submitted at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.
2. The MSc. Publication Award I - Condensed Matter Physics/Materials Science: For the most outstanding publication (in a Scientific Journal) in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by a student from a Masters Dissertation submitted at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.
3. The Vacutec MSc. Publication Award II - Semiconductor Science/Technology: For the most outstanding essay in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by an Undergraduate or Honours Student at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.
4. The Best Essay Award: For the most outstanding essay in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by an Undergraduate or Honours Student at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.

Category 2: Best Oral presentation

1. The Best PhD. Oral - The Frank Nabarro Prize: For the most outstanding Oral presentation (at the annual SAIP conference) in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by a doctoral student enrolled at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.
2. The Best MSc. Oral: For the most outstanding Oral presentation (at the annual SAIP conference) in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by a Masters student enrolled at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.

Category 3: Best Poster presentation

1. The Best PhD. Poster: For the most outstanding Poster presentation (at the annual SAIP conference) in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by a doctoral student enrolled at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.
2. The Wirsam MSc. Poster I - Condensed Matter Physics/Materials Science: For the most outstanding Poster presentation (at the annual SAIP conference) in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by a Masters student enrolled at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.
3. The Best MSc. Poster II - Semiconductor Science/Technology: For the most outstanding Poster presentation (at the annual SAIP conference) in the field of Condensed Matter Physics and/or Materials Science written by a Masters student enrolled at a South African Institution for Tertiary Education.

Guidelines and Rules

1. The awards are open to any student registered at a South African tertiary institution. In the case of past students, a maximum of two years, or 1 year for Honours Award, after the graduation ceremony may have lapsed at the time of the closing date of the awards programme.
2. The presentation/publication must originate from the student's proposed (or completed) thesis or dissertation or any formal report pertaining to that degree/level for the awards programme.
3. Once a student has won a particular degree/level award (also in the other Specialist Subgroups), he/she may no longer compete in that particular degree/level awards programme.
4. The student may present either one oral or one poster presentation but not both in a particular year.
5. An essay or publication may receive only one award.
6. Lecturers who are studying towards an MSc or PhD may not enter the oral presentation award.
7. In a particular year, only one publication may be submitted, except in the case of the MSc publication awards. In the case of a publication with one general heading but consisting of several sub-papers, all the papers may be submitted.
8. Once a student has won a particular award, he/she may no longer compete in that particular awards programme.
9. The Supervisor of the student must complete the Supervisor Statement