The John P. McGovern Award Lecture in the Behavioral Sciences, first delivered in 1990, honors outstanding behavioral scientists from around the world. The lecture was endowed by the John P. McGovern Foundation to enable scholars to learn and explore the accomplishments and challenges of the behavioral sciences. Dr. McGovern was an internationally recognized physician, scientist, scholar, educator, and humanitarian.
The current submission cycle begins April 17, 2023 and closes July 14, 2023.
Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships
AAAS Awards
AWARD DETAILS
- Opportunity to deliver the John P. McGovern Award Lecture in the Behavioral Sciences at the 2024 Annual Meeting (Denver, CO)
- A monetary prize of $5,000
- A commemorative John P. McGovern Award Medallion
- Complimentary registration to the AAAS Annual Meeting & hotel reservations
- Reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses
The lecture and award will be given at the AAAS Annual Meeting
ELIGIBILITY
- Candidate must be a researcher or academic in the field of behavioral sciences.
- Candidate must have shown a substantial contribution to the field of behavioral science. Contributions can include research, publications, professorship, mentorship, etc.
- Candidate should be an engaging and dynamic speaker
- Candidates must uphold standards of professional ethics* and scientific integrity.
Self-Nominations are accepted!
*Breaches of professional ethics might include sexual misconduct, racial discrimination, or other ethical violations. Sexual harassment or retaliation for declining, objecting to, or reporting harassment or other sexual conduct may constitute a serious breach of professional ethics.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Materials must be in English.
You will be asked to provide:
- Name, position, institution, professional address, email, and phone of the candidate
- A brief biography of the candidate.
- A letter of support (should come from a person who can speak to the candidate’s professional work and character)
- This letter should provide more insight into the candidate’s work and discuss their accomplishments. The letter can be written by a colleague, supervisor, or other professional in the field who is familiar with the candidate's work.
- Up to two additional letters from different nominators may be submitted (not required).
- This letter should provide more insight into the candidate’s work and discuss their accomplishments. The letter can be written by a colleague, supervisor, or other professional in the field who is familiar with the candidate's work.
- The candidate’s curriculum vitae
DEADLINE
The 2024 cycle submission opens on April 17, 2023. The deadline is July 14, 2023. Inquiries may be directed to Haylie Swenson at hswenson@aaas.org.
Past Recipients:
- Stephen Hinshaw (2023)
- John Wixted (2022)
- Eduardo Fernandez-Duque (2021)
- Lisa Feldman Barrett (2020)
- Susan Goldin-Meadow (2019)
- Robert A. Bjork (2018)
- Henry L. Roediger III (2017)
- Elizabeth Spelke (2016)
- Susan T. Fiske (2015)
- Walter Mischel (2013)
- Joseph LeDoux (2012)
- Linda Bartoshuk (2011)
- Elizabeth Loftus (2009)
- Daniel Kahneman (2008)
- Robert Sapolsky (2007)
- Huda Akil (2006)
- Fernando Nottebohm (2005)
- Lawrence Squire (2004)
- Lila Gleitman (2003)
- Lawrence Weiskrantz (2002)
- Brenda Milner (2001)
- George A. Miller (2000)
- Richard F. Thompson (1999)
- Michael I. Posner (1998)
- Endel Tulving (1997)
- James McGaugh (1996)
- Robert Wurtz (1995)
- Larry R. Squire (1994)
- Patricia Goldman-Rakic (1993)
- Eric R. Kandel (1992)
- Shosaku Numa (1991)
- Vernon P. Mountcastle (1990)
AAAS AWARDS
Each year, AAAS recognizes significant contributions to science and the public’s understanding of science. Learn more about these awards and nominate a scientist, engineer, author, journalist, or public servant for their outstanding work.
Diversity & Ethics
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is committed to equal opportunity for all persons, without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected categories. AAAS seeks as diverse a pool of award nominations as possible, including a wide range of disciplines, institutional types, and geographic locations.
All award winners are expected to meet the commonly held standards of professional ethics* and scientific integrity.
*Breaches of professional ethics might include sexual misconduct, racial discrimination, or other ethical violations. Sexual harassment or retaliation for declining, objecting to, or reporting harassment or other sexual conduct may constitute a serious breach of professional ethics.