AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science & Technology

NOMINATION DEADLINE: 15 AUGUST

The Award

The AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science & Technology, established in 1987, recognizes scientists and engineers who make outstanding contributions to the "popularization of science." A monetary prize of $5,000, a commemorative plaque, complimentary registration, and reimbursement for reasonable travel and hotel expenses to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting to receive the prize are given to the recipient.

Criteria

• The Award shall be given annually to scientists or engineers who, while working in their fields, have also contributed substantially to public understanding of science and technology.
• Types of activities to be considered include books, magazines, and newspaper articles; broadcasting; lecturing; museum presentation and exhibit design; and other public outreach activities, local, national, or international.
• Nominators are encouraged to identify candidates whose contributions reach broad audiences that include women, minorities, disabled persons, and senior citizens.

Eligibility

Eligible individuals include scientists and engineers (individual or a small group) from all disciplines (including social sciences and medicine) engaged in research, teaching, and related activities that have contributed substantially to the public's understanding of science or technology. Only materials produced for general audiences, as opposed to professional or trade audiences, will be considered. Employees of the AAAS are not eligible.

Entries

• All nominations must be printed or typed and submitted fully completed and postmarked on or before midnight, 15 August.
• Nominations may be made by AAAS affiliate organizations, universities, government agencies, media, research organizations, and individuals.
• Prior nomination does not exclude a candidate from consideration in subsequent years.
• The panel of judges will include distinguished scientists, engineers, and science communicators named by AAAS. The decisions of the Panel will be final.
• During the Award year, AAAS may ask winners to contribute to public understanding of science by speaking to groups of AAAS constituencies, helping to identify people to work with youth and the public, and participating in other AAAS activities related to public communication of science.

Nomination Procedures

You should provide:

• Name, position, institution, professional address and e-mail, professional phone and fax, home address and home phone number of the candidate;
• name, position, institution, and professional address and phone of the nominator;
• a statement of the action or actions that form the basis for the nomination;
• the candidate's vita;
• the names of two supporting persons whom AAAS may contact for more information on the candidate and his/her/their contributions;
• and at least one representative sample which illustrates the nominee's contribution. Books, videotapes, brochures, magazine articles, or other materials are appropriate.

All materials become the property of AAAS.

Submit

Please submit all information to:

Past Recipients

Please click here for a list of past recipients.

Deadlines

All materials must be received by 15 August.