"Applications of String Theory"
July 17 - July 28, 2006

The deadline for application has now passed; we regret, we are unable to accept any further applications for this program. 

Prospects in Theoretical Physics (PiTP) is an intensive two-week summer program designed for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars considering a career in theoretical physics. First held by the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study in the summer of 2002, the PiTP program is designed to provide lecture courses and informal sessions on the latest advances and open questions in various areas of theoretical physics.

One of the goals of the program is to help the physics community train the next generation of scholars in theoretical physics. A special effort is made to reach out to women and minorities, as well as to graduate students in small universities who typically do not have the same opportunities and access to leaders in the field as graduate students in large research institutions.

Program History

The pilot program in the summer of 2002 was an introduction to string theory tailored to graduate students entering the field, where much attention was paid also to particle phenomenology and cosmology.  PiTP 2003 was devoted to the problems and techniques at the interface of particle physics and cosmology.  PiTP 2004 was a program for advanced graduate students in string theory, while PiTP 2005 was designed to provide an introduction to collider physics.

2006 Program  The deadline for application has now passed; we regret, we are unable to accept any further applications for this program.

PiTP 2006 will be geared toward advanced graduate students in the field of string theory.  Only graduate students already actively involved in research will be considered for admission.  The 2006 program also will be open to postdoctoral fellows in string theory.  PiTP 2006 will be organized more like a workshop than a school, with lectures in the mornings, and afternoons devoted to study groups, problem sessions, and discussions with lecturers.  Students will be expected to play an active role in the workshop.  

PiTP 2006 will accept no more than 50 participants.  Individuals from local and nearby institutions are required to submit an application if interested in attending.  Accepted students will be expected to be in residence for the entire two-weeks of the program, and to participate in all scientific activities.  Local accommodations at the Institute (at a subsidized cost) and partial meal support will be offered to accepted participants.  A list of papers for participants to read in preparation for the school will be made available on this website a few months before the beginning of the school. 

Prospects in Theoretical Physics builds on the strong relationship of the research groups at the Institute and Princeton University, and many faculty members from the physics departments at both institutions are actively involved in the program together with scientists from neighboring institutions.  The members of the local organizing committee for PiTP 2006 will be: Igor Klebanov, Chiara Nappi and Herman Verlinde of Princeton University, and Juan Maldacena of the Institute.

A partial list of lecturers for PiTP 2006 includes: Niklas Beisert, Steven Gubser, Nissan Itzhaki, Igor Klebanov, and Herman Verlinde (Princeton University); Juan Maldacena and Edward Witten (Institute for Advanced Study); Mirjam Cvetic (University of Pennsylvania); Shamit Kachru (Stanford University);  Joseph Polchinski (University of California, Santa Barbara); Ken Intriligator (University of California, San Diego), and Cumrun Vafa (Harvard University) (tentative).

Please see the links below for an Application Form and tentative Program Schedule.  For further information, please contact Susan Higgins, (609) 734-8389; e-mail: shiggins@ias.edu


2006 Program Photos

2006 Daily Program Announcements

2006 Program Schedule  

2006 Suggested Pre-Reading  
(additional reading for Klebanov lectures added 7-10-06)   

2006 Participant General Information

2006 Suggested Weekend Activities  

2006 Application Form

Archive (2005 Program)

Archive (2004 Program)

Archive (2003 Program)

Archive (2002 Program)


Institute for Advanced Study, Einstein Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
Email: pitp@ias.edu