AAS Prizes and Awards
The AAS Prizes and Awards from the American Astronomical Society honor outstanding contributions to astronomy research, instrumentation, writing, education, and service each year.
Funder: American Astronomical Society
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027: Nomination submission deadline | July 2027: Nominee package submission deadline | July 2027: Letters of support deadline
Funding Amounts: Varies by award; many include medals/certificates, some monetary prizes (e.g., $1,000 for writing awards); most are annual, some biennial.
Summary: Annual prizes, awards, and Fellowships recognizing excellence in astronomy research, instrumentation, writing, service, and education, selected through a community-driven nomination process.
Key Information: This is a projected/forecasted cycle—dates may shift; check AAS program pages for official updates.
Description
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) Prizes, Awards, and Fellows program annually recognizes outstanding achievements and service across the astronomical sciences. Up to 11 prizes and awards, along with a new class of AAS Fellows, are conferred each year based on community nominations. Honorees are selected for contributions to research, instrumentation, academic writing, education, public outreach, and service to the field. The process is transparent, with self-nomination permitted for most awards, and is managed via a web-based platform to ensure completeness and fairness.
Awards cover a wide range of contributions, including but not limited to:
- Research excellence (e.g., Annie Jump Cannon Award, Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize, Henry Norris Russell Lectureship)
- Instrumentation (e.g., Joseph Weber Award)
- Academic writing (e.g., Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award)
- Service and education (e.g., Education Prize, George Van Biesbroeck Prize)
- Recognition of amateur astronomers (e.g., Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award)
- Election as an AAS Fellow for significant contributions to astronomy and the Society
Some prizes are biennial; most are offered annually. The AAS also recognizes significant contributions through its Divisional awards and specialty recognitions.
