Student & Emerging Professional Engagement
Learn. Compete. Connect. Launch Your Career.
ASM International welcomes students and emerging professionals to explore exciting opportunities at Heat Treat 2027, co-located with IMAT (ASM Annual Meeting), the Residual Stress Technology Conference (RSTC), and the North American Cold Spray Conference (NACSC) in Columbus, Ohio.
From premier technical programming and hands-on competitions to networking events, student initiatives, grants, and career-building opportunities, there are plenty of ways to get involved, showcase your skills, and connect with the materials science and manufacturing community.
Whether you’re presenting research, competing with fellow students, meeting industry leaders, or exploring future career paths in academia, industry, or research, this is your opportunity to learn something new, build your network, and take the next step in your professional journey.
One Registration. Access to All Technical Programming.
Make the most of your experience! Full conference registration provides access to technical programming across all four events, giving you more opportunities to explore new topics, discover different career paths, and connect with experts across multiple disciplines.
Explore student opportunities, get involved, and make your mark!
HTS Strong Bar Competition
Phase 1 – Poster Presentations
Phase 2 – Bend Test
Announcement of Award Winners
Submission Deadline: March 28, 2027
Flex your metallurgical muscle by participating in the Strong Bar Competition, organized by the ASM Heat Treating Society! Student teams will heat treat steel bar to achieve the highest combination of bending strength and bend deflection. This is a two-phase competition that begins with a poster competition, describing the team’s heat treatment method, the hardness profile, and microstructure. During phase two, teams with heat treat the specimen according to their best choice. The bars will be tested on the exhibit show floor to determine the winners. College student teams (Material Advantage or other) are invited to participate.
Prize: $1000 USD for the winning teams
SPECIAL NOTE: Space is limited to 10 teams. If more teams than 10 teams are submitted, only one team per university will be accepted.
Fluxtrol Student Research Competition
Sponsored By:
Phase 1 – Poster Presentations
Phase 2 – Oral Presentations
Announcement of Award Winners
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2027
Heat Treat will offer a young innovative scientists/professionals’ competition-based award and recognition program, seeking to encourage participation of young scientists in the ASM Heat Treating Society, and to provide attractive offers and opportunities in the worldwide Thermal Processing community. We are soliciting abstract submissions based on thermal processing of metal/metal containing components for this competition. This is a 2-phase competition encompassing a poster competition, as well as an oral presentation competition for semi-finalists.
The winners of the competition will be announced and will receive the following:
First Place: $2,500 USD
Second Place: $1,000 USD
Third Place: $500 USD
SPECIAL NOTE: Students who wish to include a manuscript in the Heat Treat 2027 conference proceedings will need to adhere to the same (earlier) deadlines as authors in the general Heat Treat technical program.
Undergraduate and Graduate students who submitted an abstract and were accepted to present as a speaker during Heat Treat are eligible to apply for a limited number of Participation Grants to help offset travel to the conference. Be sure to review the grant rules and apply before the deadline.
IMAT Student Poster Competition
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2027
The ASM Emerging Professionals Committee invites undergraduate and graduate students to present their research at the IMAT Student Poster Competition. This general student poster competition is open to all fields of materials science and metallurgy, providing a broad platform for students to showcase their work. Participants present their research through posters, which are evaluated by experienced judges from academia, industry, and government based on research quality, clarity, and presentation. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 6 at 3:00 in the Exhibit Hall – Industry Forum.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share your research, gain professional exposure, and connect with leaders in the field—submit your poster today!
The winners of the competition will be announced and will receive the following:
1st Place – $250
2nd Place – $150
3rd Place – $100
IMAT Student Initiatives
Make the Most of Your Student Experience!
Be sure to explore student initiatives, grants, scholarships, competitions, and other opportunities designed to support your professional development, recognize your achievements, and help you take the next step in your career.
