Eligibility

• Nominations may be made by individuals, universities, government agencies, media, research organizations, and AAAS affiliate organizations. One nominator can nominate multiple candidates.
• Self-nominations are permitted.
• Prior nomination or being a named finalist does not exclude a candidate from consideration in subsequent years. Re-nomination is encouraged.
• Nominee must be an individual scientist, mathematician, or engineer. Groups or institutions will not be considered for this award. 
• AAAS employees are ineligible.
• Nominee must represent a field of science, technology, engineering and/or math (STEM) and be actively conducting research in any scientific discipline (including social sciences, mathematics, engineering and medicine). They may be based in academia, government or industry. Public engagement activities must be above and beyond job responsibilities. 
• Nominee must be “early career” which is defined as an individual who has completed their terminal degree within seven years of the deadline for nominations.
  • Nominees no longer considered "early career" as defined by this award may be eligible for the AAAS Mani L. Bhaumik Award for Public Engagement with Science.

Selection and Criteria

• One candidate will be chosen to receive the award each year and will be announced at the AAAS Annual Meeting.
• Successful nominees will have demonstrated excellence in their contributions to public engagement with science activities, with a focus on interactive dialogue between the individual and their audience(s).
  • Types of public engagement activities might include but are not limited to: informal science education; public engagement and public dialogue activities, such as science cafés and science festivals; public policy activities; science communication activities, such as mass media, including radio, TV, books, and film; and social media.
• The selection committee includes distinguished scientists, engineers,and public engagement practitioners named by AAAS. Decisions of the committee are final after approval by the board.
• AAAS may ask winners to contribute to public engagement with science by speaking to groups of AAAS constituencies, helping to identify scientists to participate in AAAS engagement events, and participating in other AAAS activities related to public engagement with science.

​​​The award selection committee will evaluate nominations through the questions below.  Nominees will possibly excel in one category more than others. 

1. Does the nominee demonstrate active participation in public engagement activities?
2. Does the nominee demonstrate high quality public engagement activities?
3. Does the nominee demonstrate a focus on interactive dialogue between the nominee and a non-scientific public?

Inquiries may be directed to AAAS's Executive Office via email at awards@aaas.org. Please include the name of the award in the subject title.

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