Nomination Deadlines Are Approaching for AAAS Awards

Time is running out to submit nominations for annual AAAS awards that will honor some of the most accomplished scientists, science communicators and science mentors in the U.S. and worldwide.

The AAAS Awards are among the most prestigious awards given annually in science and engineering, honoring women and men who have made exceptional contributions to their fields and to the betterment of all humanity.

• The Philip Hauge Abelson Award honors either a public servant, in recognition of sustained exceptional contributions to advancing science, or a scientist, whose career has been distinguished both for scientific achievement and for other notable services to the scientific community. Nomination deadline: 1 August.

• The Award for International Scientific Cooperation recognizes an individual or a limited number of individuals working together in the scientific or engineering community for making an outstanding contribution to furthering international cooperation in science and engineering. Nomination deadline: 1 August.

• The Award for Public Understanding of Science & Technology recognizes scientists and engineers who, while working in their fields, have also contributed substantially to public understanding of science and technology through books, articles, broadcasting and other public outreach activities. Nomination deadline: 15 August.

• The Mentor Awards—the Mentor Award and the Lifetime Mentor Award—each honor an individual who has mentored and guided significant numbers of students from underrepresented groups to the completion of doctoral studies or who has shaped the climate of a department, college or institution to significantly increase the diversity of students pursuing and completing doctoral studies. Nomination deadline: 31 August.

• The Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award is presented annually to a scientist, engineer, or their organizations whose exemplary actions have helped to protect the public's health, safety, or welfare; or focused public attention on important potential impacts of science and technology on society by their responsible participation in public policy debates; or established important new precedents in carrying out the social responsibilities or in defending the professional freedom of scientists and engineers. Nomination deadline: 1 August.

• The Science Journalism Awards recognize outstanding reporting for a general audience and honor individuals (rather than institutions, publishers or employers) for their coverage of the sciences, engineering and mathematics. Submission deadline: 1 August.

The awards require documentation and supporting material, but the requirements differ from one award to the next. For more detailed information on award nominations, click here.

Edward W. Lempinen

10 July 2006