The Best Poster Award (BPA) is a prestigious recognition sponsored by the Electric Rocket Propulsion Society (ERPS), presented at each IEPC since 2017. The award is given to all co-authors of the selected poster, in recognition of outstanding research in electric propulsion, effectively communicated through a visual format.

The BPA celebrates posters that demonstrate:

  • High-quality, rigorous research
  • Originality and innovation
  • Significance and potential impact on the field
  • Clear, engaging, and well-organized presentation

Eligibility and judging

All posters presented during the Poster Exhibition at the “Night at the Museum” event on Monday, 15 September, will automatically be considered for the award. Each poster will be evaluated by at least two judges during the event through direct interaction with the presenters.

Judging will be based on the following equally weighted criteria:

  1. Quality of the work
    Are the theoretical, experimental, or numerical results of high quality? Are sources of uncertainty or error discussed?
  2. Innovativeness
    Does the work reflect an original and creative approach to the research challenge?
  3. Significance and impact
    Could the research meaningfully advance electric propulsion, e.g., through improved performance, cost, lifetime, or by opening new research or application directions?
  4. Presentation excellence
    Is the poster well-designed and easy to follow? Are major points clearly conveyed? Are visuals clear and informative?

Full details of the evaluation criteria are available on the ERPS website, Best Poster Award page.

Poster abstract and optional accompanying full paper submission

To be considered for the BPA, submissions should provide a 300-word abstract describing the research to be presented. The abstract must be included on the submission form on Oxford Abstracts platform. 

Authors who declared at the time of abstract submission their intent to submit a full technical paper alongside their poster may do so. These papers will:

  • Be assigned a formal IEPC paper number (upon contact with conference organizers)
  • Be archived in the IEPC 2025 conference proceedings, alongside oral presentation papers

Authors who did not declare intent to submit a paper at the time of abstract submission cannot now retroactively submit one.

Poster format and content

  • Poster Size: All posters must be A0 size (84.1 cm x 118.9 cm), portrait orientation.
  • Title Block:
    Title of the poster (one-line description)
    Names of all authors
    Name of the sponsoring institution
    Primary contact information (name, email, phone; project website if applicable)
  • Content:
    Posters should clearly communicate the objectives and results of the research, using accessible language and avoiding excessive jargon. Authors are encouraged to include visuals such as charts, diagrams, and photos to enhance clarity.
  • Printing notes:
    Posters must be printed on lightweight paper or cloth. Heavy materials such as foam-core boards are not allowed, as posters will be mounted using thumbtacks.

Award announcement

The winning authors of the Best Poster Award will be announced and formally recognized during the Awards Banquet at IEPC 2025 Gala Dinner on Wednesday, 17 September.