[American Association for the Advancement of Science](https://www.aaas.org)

June 30, 2026 (Final nomination deadline)

$5,000 cash award, commemorative plaque, and recognition at the AAAS Annual Meeting; one recipient annually.

Recognizes early-career scientists and engineers for outstanding public engagement activities that foster dialogue between science and society.

--- ## Description This annual award honors early-career scientists, mathematicians, or engineers who demonstrate excellence in public engagement with science. Recipients are recognized for impactful, interactive communication with diverse audiences, using platforms such as informal education, public dialogue, policy, mass media, and social media. The award aims to celebrate and encourage scientists who go beyond their job responsibilities to promote public understanding and appreciation of science. --- ## Due Dates - June 30, 2026: Final nomination deadline (nominations site closes at 11:59 PM ET) --- ## Funding Amount - The award consists of a $5,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and recognition at the AAAS Annual Meeting. - Only one recipient is selected each year. --- ## Eligibility - Nominee must be an individual scientist, mathematician, or engineer (no groups/institutions). - Must be “early career”: completed their terminal degree within seven years of the nomination deadline (i.e., after June 30, 2019). - Must be actively conducting research in a STEM field (including social sciences, mathematics, engineering, and medicine); may be based in academia, government, or industry. - Public engagement activities must be above and beyond normal job responsibilities. - Current students are not eligible. - AAAS employees are ineligible. - Nominations may be submitted by individuals, universities, government agencies, media, research organizations, AAAS affiliates, or via self-nomination. - Prior nominees and finalists may be re-nominated. --- ## Application Process - Nominations must be submitted electronically through the [official nomination site](https://earlycareer.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/138/home) between April 15 and June 30, 2026. - Required materials (in English, PDF format): - Nominee and nominator contact information - Brief citation (25–30 words) describing the accomplishment(s) - Nomination rationale (up to 3 pages) explaining the nominee’s public engagement approach, goals, audiences, dialogue, evaluation, and impact - Curriculum vitae (max 5 pages; must highlight public engagement activities separately) - 2–5 representative samples or documentation illustrating public engagement contributions (letters of support are optional and count toward this limit) - List of relevant social media accounts, if applicable - All materials become the property of AAAS and will not be returned. - Nominations and supporting materials are not accepted by email or post. --- ## Additional Information - Selection focuses on excellence and interactive dialogue in public engagement. - Awardees may be invited to participate in AAAS engagement events or related activities. - The AAAS encourages nominations from candidates of diverse backgrounds and geographies. - Ethics and professional conduct are required; breaches may disqualify recipients. --- ## External Links - [Award Overview and Details](https://www.aaas.org/awards/early-career-public-engagement/about) - [Eligibility Criteria](https://earlycareer.secure-platform.com/a/page/Eligibility) - [Nomination Portal](https://earlycareer.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/138/home) - [Past Recipients](https://www.aaas.org/page/early-career-award-public-engagement-science-recipients) - [AAAS Awards Main Page](https://www.aaas.org/aaas-awards) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [awards@aaas.org](mailto:awards@aaas.org?subject=Early%20Career%20Award%20for%20Public%20Engagement%20with%20Science) | | Funder main contact | [AAAS Contact Page](https://www.aaas.org/contact-aaas) | | Phone | 202-326-6400 |

Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science

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