Ellen Swallow Richards Award
Ellen Swallow Richards Award recognizes individuals who help others overcome adversity to pursue careers in minerals, metals, or materials, honoring mentoring, advocacy, and efforts to remove barriers.
Funder: Minerals Metals and Materials Society (TMS)
Due Dates: April 1, 2027 (Annual nomination deadline)
Funding Amounts: $1,500 cash prize, an award piece, and up to $500 in requested travel assistance
Summary: Recognizes an individual who has helped or inspired others to overcome significant adversity to pursue careers in minerals, metals, or materials.
Key Information: This is an individual recognition award, not a research project grant.
Description
The Ellen Swallow Richards Award is administered by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) and sponsored by Jeffrey Wadsworth and Geraldine McCulley Wadsworth through the TMS Foundation. It honors the pioneering spirit of Ellen Swallow Richards, a metallurgist, member of TMS’ antecedent organization AIME, and widely recognized founder of ecology.
The award recognizes contributions to other people’s career paths rather than funding a research project. Its history highlights mentoring, advocacy, materials science education, improvements to workplace culture, and efforts to remove institutional barriers. Past recipients have helped women and underrepresented groups find opportunities and support within the minerals, metals, and materials community.
