ASU Process for 2022 Cycle of National Academy of Sciences Awards
Overview
The National Academy of Sciences has a slate of awards that are open to scholars nationally. Each award has specific goals and requirements for eligibility. In addition, some have variable award cycles. These prestigious awards should be included in your professional strategy development. The complete list can be accessed here: http://www.nasonline.org/programs/awards/2023.html. "Unless otherwise specified, preference will be given to early-career scientists and those whose work 'hasn't been recognized by other large prizes or awards."
The full list of awards is provided below. Those with > next to the title are accepting nominations for the 2023 cycle.
Nomination Process
All nominations must be submitted online. This requires registration. Unless otherwise stated, the following materials must be submitted. There is no self-nomination.
- A letter from the nominator describing the candidate's work and why he, she, they should be selected for the award. No more than three (3) pages.
- Curriculum vitae. No more than two (2) pages (similar to CVs included with NSF proposals).
- Bibliography listing no more than twelve (12) of the nominee's most significant publications.
- Suggested citation. A 50-word summary stating why the nominee should be considered for this award. Citation examples»
- Two letters of support. Support letters must be written by individuals from institutions outside both the nominator's and the ' 'nominee's institution.
Important Dates
- Nomination Deadline: Monday, October 3, 2022
- Recipients Announced: Mid-January 2023
- NAS Awards Ceremony: Sunday, April 30, 2023
ASU Process
If requesting the nomination letter from the Vice President of Research, all materials should be prepared in final draft and delivered on or before 5 pm Arizona, September 26, 2022. Please email ResearchDevelopment@asu.edu to request this accommodation. The nomination will be submitted by September 30, 2022.
List of Awards (Alphabetical)
> Alexander Agassiz Medal
Endowed in 1911 by one of the leading scientists of the Challenger Expedition, Sir John Murray, the Agassiz Medal has been awarded to some of the most outstanding oceanographers in all fields since 1913. Murray established the award to honor his friend, Alexander Agassiz, who served as president of the National Academy of Sciences from 1901 to 1907. The Alexander Agassiz Medal is awarded for an original contribution to the science of oceanography. The medal is presented every five years and carries with it a prize of $20,000.
Every Five Years
Alexander Hollaender Award in Biophysics
The Alexander Hollaender Award in Biophysics is presented every three years and carries with it a $20,000 prize. The Award recognizes outstanding contributions made to the field of biophysics. Henrietta W. Hollaender established the Alexander Hollaender Award in Biophysics in honor of her husband, Alexander W. Hollaender, who brought to prominence the field of photobiology. With an interest in the lethal and mutagenic effects of monochromatic ultraviolet radiation on cells, Dr. Hollaender identified the first clear indication that changes in nucleic acids needed to be analyzed rather than proteins.
Every three years – next available in 2024 cycle
> Arctowski Medal
The Arctowski Medal is presented every two years to recognize outstanding contributions to the study of solar physics and solar terrestrial relationships. The Medal is presented with an award of $100,000, plus $100,000, to support research in solar physics and solar terrestrial relationships at an institution of the recipient's choice. The Arctowski Medal was established in 1958 by the bequest of Jane Arctowska in honor of her husband, Henryk Arctowski.
Biennial Award
Atkinson Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences
The Atkinson Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences (formerly the NAS Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences) is presented to honor significant advances in the psychological and cognitive sciences with important implications for formal and systematic theory in these fields. Two prizes of $100,000 are presented biennially. The prize was established by Richard C. Atkinson in 2013.
Biennial award – next offered in 2023 cycle
> Arthur L. Day Prize and Lectureship
Awarded to a scientist making lasting contributions to the study of the physics of the Earth and whose lectures will provide solid, timely, and useful additions to the knowledge and literature in the field. The nominee should also be a good speaker with the ability to summarize and synthesize current knowledge in the field. The recipient is awarded a $50,000 prize and funds to present a series of Day Lectures. Provided for by funds from the Arthur L. Day Bequest.
Every three years
NOTE: ASU's Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton is the 2020 awardee
> James Prize in Science and Technology Integration
The James Prize in Science and Technology Integration honors outstanding contributions made by researchers who are able to adopt or adapt information or techniques from outside their fields and thus integrate knowledge from two or more disciplines (e.g., engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, biomedicine, geosciences, astronomy, or computational sciences) to solve a major contemporary challenge not addressable from a single disciplinary perspective. The prize was established in 2020 by Robert James and carries with it a $50,000 prize.
Annual Award
James Craig Watson Medal
The James Craig Watson Medal is presented every two years for outstanding contributions to the science of astronomy and carries with it a gold-plated bronze medal, a $25,000 prize, and $50,000 to support the ' 'recipient's research. The Watson Medal was established by NAS Member and prolific Canadian-American astronomer, James Craig Watson. Watson is credited with discovering twenty-two asteroids in his lifetime. He published many articles and wrote A Popular Treatise on Comets (1861) and Theoretical Astronomy (1868).
Biennial award – next offered in 2023
Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal
The Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal is awarded every two years for outstanding research in the medical sciences. The medal carries with it a $25,000 award and an additional $50,000 for research. The Kovalenko Fund, gifted by Michael S. Kovalenko in 1949 to the National Academy of Science in memory of his wife, Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko, was specifically designed to recognize the achievements made to the medical sciences and, over the past 70 years, has honored many outstanding contributors.
Biennial award – next offered in 2023 cycle
John J. Carty Award for the Advancement of Science
The John J. Carty Award for the Advancement of Science is awarded every two years to recognize noteworthy and distinguished accomplishments in any field of science within the National Academy of ' 'Science's charter. The award is presented with a medal and a $25,000 prize. The American Telephone and Telegraph Company established the award to honor the memory of their Chief Engineer, Vice President, and general telecommunications innovator, John J. Carty.
Biennial award – next offered in 2023 cycle
Maryam Mirzakhani Prize in Mathematics
The Mirzakhani Prize (formerly the NAS Award in Mathematics) was established in 1988 by the American Mathematical Society in honor of its centennial. The prize was renamed to honor the late Maryam Mirzakhani (1977-2017), a highly accomplished and talented mathematician, professor at Stanford University, and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. She was the first (and only) woman to win the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in mathematics, often equated in stature with the Nobel Prize. Made possible through generous gifts from the Simons Foundation and other benefactors, this $20,000 prize will be awarded biennially for exceptional contributions to the mathematical sciences by a mid-career mathematician.
Biennial award – next offered in 2023 cycle
> Michael and Sheila Held Prize
The Michael and Sheila Held Prize is presented annually to honor outstanding, innovative, creative, and influential research in the areas of combinatorial and discrete optimization or related parts of computer science, such as the design and analysis of algorithms and complexity theory. This $100,000 prize is intended to recognize recent work (defined as published within the last eight years). The Held prize was established in 2017 by the bequest of Michael and Sheila Held.
Annual Award
> NAS Award for Chemistry in Service to Society
Established by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, the NAS Award for Chemistry in Service to Society is awarded biennially for contributions to chemistry, either in fundamental science or its application, that clearly satisfy a societal need. The award is given in alternate years to chemists working in the industry and those in academia, government, and nonprofit organizations. The award is presented with a $20,000 prize.
Biennial Award
> NAS Award for Scientific Discovery
The NAS Award for Scientific Discovery is presented every two years to recognize an accomplishment or discovery in basic research, achieved within the previous five years, that is expected to have a significant impact on one or more of the following fields: astronomy, biochemistry, biophysics, chemistry, materials science, or physics through the selection of recipients of the Award. The Award will rotate among these fields as determined by the NAS Council. To be eligible for an Award, a candidate must be a scientist at a university, college, or other research institution within the United States. Endowed in 2014 in honor of John P. Schaefer through a gift (Press Release) from Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) and the Frederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation. This award is presented with a medal, a $50,000 prize, and $50,000 to support the ' 'recipient's research.
Biennial Award
> NAS Award for the Industrial Application of Science
Awarded for original scientific work of intrinsic scientific importance and with significant, beneficial applications in industry. The recipient is awarded a $25,000 prize. Established by the IBM Corporation in honor of Ralph E. Gomory.
Intermittent award
> NAS Award in Chemical Sciences
The NAS Award in Chemical Sciences is presented annually to honor innovative research in the chemical sciences that contributes to a better understanding of the natural sciences and the benefit of humanity. The NAS Award in Chemical Sciences was established in 1978 and supported by Occidental Petroleum Corporation from 1978 to 1996. The Merck Company Foundation assumed sponsorship in 1999. The award is presented with a medal and a $15,000 prize.
Annual award
NAS Award in Early Earth and Life Sciences
Established by the NAS Council in October 2008 by combining two awards: The Charles Doolittle Walcott Medal established by a gift of Mrs. Mary Vaux Walcott in memory of her husband, Charles Doolittle Walcott, and the Stanley Miller Medal established through a bequest from NAS member Stanley Miller. The award rotates presentation between the Charles Doolittle Walcott Medal for research on Cambrian or pre-Cambrian life and the Stanley Miller Medal, which recognizes research on Earth's early development as a planet, including prebiotic chemistry and the origin of life; planetary accretion, differentiation, and tectonics; and early evolution of the atmosphere and oceans. Each medal is presented with a $10,000 prize.
Intermittent award
> NAS Award in Molecular Biology
The NAS Award in Molecular Biology supported by Pfizer Inc. recognizes a recent notable discovery by a young scientist (defined as no older than 45) who is a citizen of the United States. The award is presented with a medal and a $25,000 prize.
Annual award
NAS Award in the Neurosciences
The NAS Award in the Neurosciences is awarded every three years to recognize extraordinary contributions to the progress of the neuroscience fields, including neurochemistry, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, developmental neuroscience, neuroanatomy, and behavioral and clinical neuroscience. The award was established by the Fidia Research Foundation and is presented with a $25,000 prize.
Intermittent award
> NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences
The NAS Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences recognizes research by a mid-career scientist (defined as up to 20 years since completion of Ph.D.) at a U.S. institution who has made an extraordinary contribution to agriculture or the understanding of the biology of a species fundamentally important to agriculture or food production. For the purpose of the prize, areas of science with applications to agriculture include plant and animal sciences, microbiology, nutrition and food science, soil science, entomology, veterinary medicine, and agricultural economics. The recipient will be awarded a medal and a $100,000 prize. The prize is endowed through generous gifts from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Annual award
> NAS Public Welfare Medal
The NAS Public Welfare Medal is the Academy's most prestigious award and is presented annually to honor the extraordinary use of science for the public good.
Annual award
> Pradel Research Award
The Pradel Research Award is presented annually to recognize mid-career neuroscientists whose work is making major contributions to our understanding of the nervous system. The award is presented with a $50,000 research award to designate to an institution of the recipient's choice to support neuroscience research.
Annual award
> Richard Lounsbery Award
The Richard Lounsbery Award is a $75,000 prize given in alternate years by the National Academy of Sciences and the French Académie des Sciences to young (no older than 45) French and American scientists to recognize extraordinary scientific achievement in biology and medicine. In addition to honoring scientific excellence, the award is intended to stimulate research and encourage reciprocal scientific exchanges between the United States and France. The Richard Lounsbery Award was established by Vera Lounsbery in honor of her husband, Richard Lounsbery, and is supported by the Richard Lounsbery Foundation.
Alternate years
> Selman A. Waksman Award in Microbiology
Established by the Waksman Foundation for Microbiology, the Selman A. Waksman Award is a prize of $20,000 that is presented to recognize a major advance in the field of microbiology.
Intermittent award
> Troland Research Award
Two Troland Research Awards of $75,000 are given annually to recognize unusual achievements by early-career researchers (preferably 45 years of age or younger) and to further empirical research within the broad spectrum of experimental psychology. The Troland Research Award was established by a trust created in 1931 by the bequest of Leonard T. Troland.
Annual award