The AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize

Nominations Open April 15 - June 30, 2025

ABOUT THE PRIZE

The American Association for the Advancement of Science invites nominations for the 2026 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize. The prize was established in 1985 by the AAAS Board of Directors. A monetary prize of $5,000, a commemorative plaque, complimentary registration to the AAAS Annual Meeting, a complimentary one-year AAAS membership, and reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting to receive the prize are given to the recipient. The Prize will be presented at the 2026 AAAS Annual Meeting.

ELIGIBILITY

The Philip Hauge Abelson Prize was established to be awarded to someone who has made significant contributions to the scientific community — whether through research, policy, and/or civil service — in the United States. The awardee could be a public servant, scientist, or an individual in any field who has made sustained, exceptional contributions and other notable services to the scientific community.

NOMINATION PROCEDURES

Click the "Submit Nomination" tab above where you will be asked to provide the following:

• The nominee’s name, title, institution, email address, and phone number.
• The nominator's name, title, institution, email address, and phone number.
• A brief citation (25 - 30 words) describing the accomplishment(s) for which the individual is nominated. 
• A longer statement (no more than three pages) providing the rationale for the nomination.
• At least one letter of recommendation (up to two letters) expressing support for the nominee that addresses why the nominee is deserving of the prize.
• The candidate’s curriculum vitae or resume (no more than five pages).
• Voluntary demographic information.

ENTRIES

• Nominations may be made by individuals, universities, government agencies, research organizations, and AAAS affiliate organizations.
• According to AAAS award policy, self-nominations are allowed.
• Prior nomination does not exclude a candidate from consideration in subsequent years; however, a repeat submission should reflect any updates to the candidates CV and letters of recommendations.

Advice for nominations:

The pool of nominations for the Abelson prize includes many exceptional people. Nominations are most successful when they effectively describe the aspects of the nominee’s work and career that differentiate the nominee from others who have held similar positions of leadership. Please articulate both the specific achievements and the service to the scientific community — whether through research, policy, and/or civil service — that distinguish the nominee, giving careful attention to the context and details demonstrating “significant” and “exceptional” contributions.

Nominees will be reviewed on the following criteria:

1. The candidate has demonstrated significant and lasting impacts to advancing science for the benefit of society.

2. The candidate has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the science, policy, and/or civil service communities.

3. The candidate has demonstrated a pattern of sustained contributions to the scientific community.

INCLUSIVITY & ETHICS

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is deeply committed to fostering the open and inclusive scientific enterprise that is essential for scientific excellence. AAAS encourages nominations from a broad range of backgrounds, life experiences, and geographies.

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.