Award Description

The Michael Karmis SOMP PhD Fellowship Award, established in 2019, recognizes SOMP junior members who desire to pursue an academic career by acquiring a PhD in the field of Mining Engineering and/or Mineral Processing.

The award shall consist of a cash gift (1,000 euros) and a certificate. One award shall be presented (subject to suitable candidates) at the SOMP Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Rules
Section 1. Qualifications and Eligibility
The Michael Karmis SOMP PhD Fellowship Award is strictly limited to SOMP junior members who are currently enrolled or have been formally admitted to a PhD degree-granting program with emphasis on Mining Engineering and/or Mineral Processing.

Section 2. Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit the following information:

• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of PhD enrollment
• Statement on short and long term career objectives, and motivating factors for seeking a career in academia (max one page)
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from active SOMP members (there shall be one letter from the applicant’s PhD advisor).

Section 3. Recipient Selection
The Fellowship Award Selection Committee will conduct: (1) a review of the applications, and (2) a formal interview of the top three candidates through video conferencing. Once the final candidate has been selected, her/his name will be submitted to the SOMP Council for final approval. Results of the review and rankings are strictly confidential and will not be released. The award recipient must be willing to present himself/herself in person to receive the award at the SOMP AGM, and give a presentation on his/her PhD research.

Section 4. Allowable Fellowship Award Expenses
The Fellowship Award funds are intended to cover the research related expenses, or to be used for traveling expenses to the SOMP AGM.

Deadlines

January 15: Due date for submission of applications
February 1-28: Award Committee reviews the applications and interviews top three candidates
March 1-5: Award Committee submits recommendation to SOMP Council
March 15: SOMP Council notifies award recipient
July: Recipient recognized at SOMP AGM 2026

2025-2026 Award Committee

• Prof. Zach Agioutantis, University of Kentucky, USA, Coordinator
• Prof. Emily Sarver, Virginia Tech, USA
• Prof. Elisabeth Clausen, RWTH Aachen, Germany
• Prof. Oscar Jaime Restrepo Baena, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia

Winner List