Foster the growth of advanced studies and research in physical and mathematical sciences, especially in support of excellence in developing countries;
Develop high-level scientific programmes keeping in mind the needs of developing countries, and provide an international forum of scientific contact for scientists from all countries;
Conduct research at the highest international standards and maintain a conducive environment of scientific inquiry for the entire ICTP community.
Research
Research at ICTP is carried out by seven scientific sections:
The scientific community at ICTP includes staff research scientists, postdoctoral fellows and long- and short-term visitors engaged in independent or collaborative research. Throughout the year, the sections organize conferences, workshops, seminars and colloquiums in their respective fields. ICTP also has visitor programmes specifically for scientific visitors from developing countries, including programmes under federation and associateship schemes.
Postgraduate programmes
ICTP offers educational training through its pre-PhD programmes and degree programmes. ;Pre-PhD programmes
Postgraduate diploma programmes in Condensed Matter Physics, High Energy Physics, Mathematics, Earth System Physics, and Quantitative Life Sciences for students from developing countries.
The Sandwich Training Educational Programme for students from developing countries already enrolled in PhD programmes in the fields of physics and mathematics.
In collaboration with other institutes, ICTP offers masters and doctoral degrees in physics and mathematics.
Joint ICTP/SISSA PhD Programme in Physics and Mathematics
Joint PhD Programme in Earth Science and Fluid Mechanics
Joint Laurea Magistralis in Physics
Joint ICTP/Collegio Carlo Alberto Program in Economics
In addition, ICTP collaborates with local laboratories, including Elettra Synchrotron Light Laboratory, to provide fellowships and laboratory opportunities.
Prizes and awards
ICTP has instituted awards to honour and encourage high-level research in the fields of physics and mathematics.
The Dirac Medal – For scientists who have made significant contributions to theoretical physics.
The ICTP Prize – For young scientists from developing countries.
ICO/ICTP Gallieno Denardo Award – For significant contributions to the field of optics.
One of ICTP's goals is to set up regional centres of excellence around the globe. The idea is to bring ICTP's unique blend of high-quality physics and mathematics education and high-level science meetings closer to scientists everywhere. On February 6, 2012, ICTP opened a partner institute in São Paulo, Brazil. Its activities are modelled on those of the ICTP and include schools and workshops, as well as a visiting scientists programme. On October 18, 2018, a partner institute, was inaugurated in Kigali, Rwanda. In November 2018, ICTP opened the International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific in Beijing, China, in collaboration with the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Journal
In 2007 ICTP created the peer-reviewed open-access Journal "African Review of Physics" under the then name "African Physical Review".
