Since 1987 IAPS has worked continously to promote peaceful relations and collaboration between physics students. We support our members in their academic and professional work, as well as discussing and acting on scientific, social and cultural issues. IAPS is a recognised non-governmental organisation run entirely by students from around the world with a spirit of mutual understanding and equality.IAPS runs an annual International Conference for Physics Students (ICPS), visits to global research institutions, summer schools, exchange programmes and multinational meetings all over the world.

IAPS collaborates with numerous international bodies including amongst others: the European Physical Society, the Institute of Physics and the American Physical Society (their student wing runs a national competition to sponsor their students to attend our events).