Specific eligibility criteria are listed on each award page. Generally:
Specific nomination components are listed on each award page, but generally, a nomination consists of:
All files must be written in English and uploaded in PDF format. Letters must be on letterhead, dated, and signed physically or with an electronic signature. Include the name of the nominee in the filenames.
The nomination period for Society-level prizes and awards typically opens in January each year. Please refer to the deadlines page for when a nomination period closes.
To submit a new or edit an existing nomination:
To edit an existing nomination, find the nomination under My Nominations and select Edit.
Questions? Please contact honors@aps.org.
After the nomination deadline passes, the selection committee will begin their review and selection process. Selection committees are formed by the related APS unit or committee, or APS if the honor is not related to a unit or committee. The committee composition varies by honor and may be defined in the unit’s bylaws.
Selection committees recommend recipients. The recommendations of APS Society-level prize or award selection committees are reviewed and approved by the APS Council of Representatives. Dissertation and unit awards are approved by the related unit or committee’s executive committee.
After selections are approved, the recipient, sponsor, co-sponsor, selection committee chair, and the unit chair and secretary receive a notification letter from the APS President. APS will announce the recipient on the APS website and other media.
APS Honors staff will notify nominators whose nominations were not selected. Depending on the rules of the honor, the nomination may be eligible for carryover review in the next review cycle, or the nomination will expire. Nominations for annual honors typically expire after three years, and nominations for biennial honors typically expire after two years. Some awards, particularly the LeRoy Apker Award, and many dissertation awards do not carry over.
When the next nomination cycle begins, nominators with a nomination eligible for carryover consideration will receive a reminder to review, make updates if desired, and recertify the nomination. Nominations will only be reconsidered if the nominator recertifies the nomination prior to the deadline and provided any other eligibility requirements are still met. If a nomination is expired, the nominator may submit a new nomination.
Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.