| Faculty Prizes and Awards: Nominations Sent Directly
to Agency The programs listed here provide awards and prizes to individuals in recognition of achievement. Programs are listed by approximate nomination deadline. Nominations for these programs are not submitted through the Sponsored Projects Office; this page is provided as a courtesy to the Academic Senate Faculty Awards Committee. |
| Prize | Agency Deadline | Research Areas | Program Synopsis | Funding |
| Maison de la Chimie Foundation Prize | January 30 | chemistry | Intended to reward original work in chemistry of benefit to mankind, society or nature | 30,000 Euros (~$35,000 USD) |
| Enrico Fermi Award | January 31 | energy science and technology | Recognizes scientists of international stature for their lifetimes of exceptional achievement in the development, use, or production of energy (broadly defined to include the science and technology of nuclear, atomic, molecular, and particle interactions and effects) | $100,000 and gold medal |
| King Baudouin International Development Prize | February 1 | varied | Individuals or organizations that are making a significant contribution to the advancement of developing countries, helping to close the gap between industrial and developing countries. Examples of past prizewinners cover a broad spectrum of fields, from the teaching of adult literacy to the training of the rural poor, and from technology transfer to new forms of credit, or the development of mutual support within the community. Awarded every other year. Nominations accepted from senior levels of world and regional institutions which have activities in keeping with the aims of the Prize. See website for other nomination restrictions. | 150,000 Euros (around $165,000 USD) |
| Robert Welch Award in Chemistry | February 1 | chemistry | Recognizes individuals who have made substantial chemical research contributions for the benefit of mankind. | $300,000 |
| Thomas Ehrlich Faculty Award for Service Learning | around February 15 | all disciplines | Honors one faculty member for contributing to the integration of community or public service into the curriculum and for efforts to institutionalize service-learning. | $2,000 |
| Sackler Prize in the Physical Sciences | February 15 | alternates between physics & chemistry annually | The prize is intended to encourage dedication to science, originality and excellence by rewarding outstanding young scientists. The age limit is 40 years. | $50,000 |
| World Food Prize | February 28 | any field involved in the world food supply -- food and agriculture science and technology, manufacturing, marketing, nutrition, economics, poverty alleviation, political leadership and the social sciences | The World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. | $250,000 |
| Electrochemical Society Olin Palladium Award | March of even years | electrochemical research | Established for distinguished contributions to the field of electrochemical or corrosion science. | palladium medal, wall plaque, $7,500 |
| Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Musical Composition | March 2 | music | Individuals of outstanding musical achievement as demonstrated by a substantial body of creative work. | $100,000; perfomance of a composition by the recipient |
| McGraw Prize in Education | March 15 | any discipline | Individuals who have displayed a sense of innovation in attempting to creatively change, improve, enhance or further a specific area of education. Individuals may be nominated for lifetime achievement. Winners from teaching, administration or policy planning must have instituted or enhanced curricula, developed exceptional programs or improved policy | $25,000 |
| Balzan Prize | March 16 | For 2005: social and cultural history of cities; history of the art of Asia; population biology; mineral physics | Awarded to candidates considered of eminent personalities and who are recognized international authorities. | four prizes of 1 million Swiss francs (around $700,000 USD) |
| National Medal of Arts | April 2 | arts | The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States Government. The National Medal of Arts is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals or groups who, in his judgment, "...are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States." | medal |
| Charles Stark Draper Prize | 1st week in April | engineering and technology | The Prize is awarded for outstanding achievement in engineering and technology contributing to the advancement of human welfare and freedom. | $500,000 |
| Gustav O. Lienhard Award (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) | late April | health care services | Recognizes individuals for outstanding achievement in improving health care services in the United States. | medal and $25,000 |
| U.S. Professors of the Year Program | April 26 | undergraduate education | The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and CASE sponsor this program recognizing faculty members for their achievement as undergraduate professors. | $5,000 and certificate |
| International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Dirac Medal | April 30 | theoretical physics, mathematics | Recognizes outstanding contributions to theoretical physics and mathematics. | Dirac Medal and $5,000 |
| Franklin Institute Benjamin Franklin Medals | May 31 | chemistry, computer and cognitive science, earth science, engineering, life science, and physics | Recognizes outstanding achievement in science and technology. | Endowed medals |
| King Faisal International Prize | May 31 | four categories: Islamic Studies, Arabic Literature, Medicine, and Science | Recognizes those who exceptionally serve Islam and Muslims, and the scientists and scholars whose research results in significant advances in specific areas that benefit humanity. This incentive also encourages expanded research that may lead to important medical and scientific breakthroughs. | US $200,000 for each category |
| American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Awards | June 1 | psychology |
The Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award honors psychologists
who have made distinguished theoretical or empirical contributions to
basic research in psychology. The Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology honors psychologists who have made distinguished theoretical or empirical advances in psychology leading to the understanding or amelioration of important practical problems. The Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology recognizes excellent young psychologists. |
citation and cash prize |
| Materials Research Society's the Von Hippel Award | June 1 | materials research | Recognizes those qualities most prized by materials scientists and engineers--brilliance and originality of intellect, combined with vision that transcends the boundaries of conventional scientific disciplines. | $10,000, honorary membership, & trophy |
| Romanell-Phi Beta Kappa Professorship in Philosophy | June 2 | philosophy | Awarded annually, on a nonrenewable basis, to scholars in the field of philosophy, without restriction to any one school of philosophical thought. The Professorship is intended to recognize not only distinguished achievement but also the recipient's contribution or potential contribution to public understanding of philosophy. Nominations by institution's Phi Beta Kappa Chapter. | $7,500 and series of three lectures |
| National Endowment for the Humanities Jefferson Lecture | June 6 | humanities | Recognizes an individual who has made significant scholarly contributions to the humanities and who has the ability to communicate the knowledge and wisdom of the humanities in a broadly appealing way. The Jefferson Lecture is the highest honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual and public achievement in the humanities. | $10,000 honorarium and the lecture is delivered annually in the spring in Washington, D.C. |
| National Endowment for the Humanities National Humanities Medal | June 6 | humanities | Honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the humanities, broadened our citizens' engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to important resources in the humanities. | bronze medal |
| Homer Lowry Award | June 14 | physical sciences | To recognize outstanding scientific and technological achievements in coal, petroleum, or natural gas. | citation, gold medal, and $25,000. |
| Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award | July 1 | chemistry, environmental science and technology, life sciences, materials research, national security, nuclear technology, and physics. | Honors U.S. scientists and engineers who have made exceptional and relatively recent achievements in the development, use, or control of energy; broadly defined to include the science and technology of nuclear, atomic, molecular, and particle interactions and effects; and environmental conservation and efficiency. | Citation signed by the Secretary of Energy, a gold medal, and a $50,000 honorarium. |
| Presidential Medal of Science | July 1 | science and engineering | The highest honor in the U.S. for scientists and engineers who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." Presented annually by the President. | medal |
| American Physical Society (APS) Prizes and Awards | July 1 for most awards (varies) | physics | APS offers approximately 40 prizes, awards, medals, and lectureships. | varies |
| Irving Langmuir Prize in Chemical Physics | July 2 | physics, chemistry | To recognize and encourage outstanding interdisciplinary research in chemistry and physics, in the spirit of Irving Langmuir. This prize is made to one person who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of chemical physics or physical chemistry within the ten years prior to the prize. In even-numbered years, the American Chemical Society selects the prize recipient and presents the prize. In odd-numbered years, the American Physical Society selects the prize recipient and presents the prize. | $10,000 and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. |
| National Medal of Technology | July 28 | technological achievement | The highest honor bestowed by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators. The Medal is given annually to individuals, teams, or companies for accomplishments in the innovation, development, commercialization, and management of technology, as evidenced by the establishment of new or significantly improved products, processes, or services. | medal |
| American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) International Scientific Cooperation Award | August 1 | science and engineering | Seeks to recognize individuals/individuals working together in the scientific or engineering community for making an outstanding contribution to furthering international cooperation in science and engineering. | $5,000 and a commemorative plaque |
| American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) Philip Hauge Abelson Prize | August 2 | science and engineering | The Prize is awarded annually either to a public servant, in recognition of sustained exceptional contributions to advancing science, or a scientist, whose career has been distinguished both for scientific achievement and for other notable services to the scientific community. | $5,000 and a commemorative plaque |
| Electrochemical Society Electronics Division Award | August 2 | electronics science | Established to encourage excellence in electronics research and outstanding technical contribution to the field of Electronics Science. This encouragement is provided by bringing recognition to Active Members of the Society who have made noteworthy scientific contributions and enhanced the scientific stature of the Society by the presentation of well received papers in the JOURNAL and at Society Meetings. | certificate and $1,500 plus expenses up to $1000 or payment of Life Membership in the Society |
| Wolf Prizes to Promote Science and Art for the Benefit of Mankind | August 31 | arts and science: agriculture, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, physics, architecture, music, painting, and sculpture | Five or six yearly prizes are awarded for achievements in the interest of mankind and friendly relations among peoples. Nominations accepted by: University Rector, Research Institute Director, Dean, the Head of a Conservatory - in the field of Music, the Head of a Museum of Art - in the field of Painting or Sculpture, the recipient of a Wolf Prize - in his field, and scientists or artists if invited to submit candidates by the Foundation. | $100,000 and diploma |
| Epilepsy Research Awards Program | early September | epilepsy | Designed to encourage and reward clinical and basic science investigators whose research contributes importantly to understanding and conquering epilepsy. | $50,000 |
| March of Dimes Research Prize in Developmental Biology | September 15 | developmental biology (birth defect research) | The March of Dimes Prize is awarded to investigators whose research has profoundly advanced the science that underlines our understanding of birth defects. | medal and $100,000 |
| The Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) Awards | varies; September 15 or October 10 for most awards | library and information science education | Designed to identify innovation by full-time faculty members in incorporating evolving information technologies in the curricula of accredited masters degree programs in library & information studies. Alise Award for Professional Contribution to Library and Information Science Education; Alise Service Award; Alise Award for Teaching Excellence in the Field of Library and Information Science Education; Alise Pratt-Severn Faculty Innovation | Award or $2000 |
| Protein Society Awards | June 1 for Stein and Moore Award, September 15 for other awards | protein science | Amgen Award: annual lectureship award in recognition of a recent, highly significant contribution to the science of proteins. Young Investigator Award: important contribution to the study of proteins by a scientist not yet 38 years of age at the time of the award. Hans Neurath Award: for an individual's recent contribution of unusual merit to basic research in the field of protein science. Christian B. Anfinsen Award: recognizes significant technical achievements in the field of protein science. Stein and Moore Award: recognizes contributions at the highest level to the study of proteins. | Funding information not released for these awards |
| Tyler Prize | September 15 | environmental science, energy, and medicine | Prizes are awarded for any one of the following: The protection, maintenance, improvement or understanding of an ecological or and environmental condition anywhere in the world; The discovery, further development, improvement, or understanding of known or new sources of energy; Medical discoveries or achievements with such worldwide implications that they significantly benefit environmental aspects of human health. | $200,000 award and gold medallion |
| American Society for Microbiology (ASM) | April 1 to October 1 | microbiology | Honors achievement in research, education, and service--and encompasses the many subspecialties of microbiology. | varies |
| Electrochemical Society Carl Wagner Memorial Award | October 1 in even years | electrochemical research | To recognize (a) mid-career achievement and excellence in research in areas of interest of the Society, and (b) significant contributions in the teaching or guidance of students or colleagues in education, industry, or government. Present biennially in odd-numbered years. | Life membership in the Society, certificate, sterling silver medal |
| Centre de recherches mathematiques and the Fields Institute Prize (CRM-Fields Institute Prize) | October 1 | mathematical sciences | Aimed at recognizing excellence in research in the mathematical sciences. The candidate's research should have been conducted primarily in Canada or in affiliation with a Canadian university. | $5,000 |
| Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education | October 1 | private enterprise education | These awards honor outstanding educators who excite a commitment in their students to the free enterprise system. | 20 awards of $7,500 each, and a special award of $15,000 for an unusually meritorious entry may be awarded |
| Electrochemical Society Research Award of the Energy Technology Division | October 2 | electrochemical research | Established to encourage excellence in energy related research and to encourage publication in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Inc. The Award recognizes outstanding and original contributions to the science and technology of energy related research areas that include scientific and technological aspects of fossil fuels and alternative energy sources, energy management and environmental consequences of energy utilization. | scroll, $1,500, membership in Energy Technology Division |
| Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award | October 9 | science, engineering, medicine and technology (Invention) | Recognizes outstanding individuals whose pioneering spirit and demonstrated inventiveness throughout their careers has improved our society and inspired others. They are U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose life-long careers in invention and innovation have had a significant impact on society. | $100,000 |
| Lemelson-MIT Prize | early October | science, engineering, medicine and technology (Invention) | Purpose is to foster invention and innovation, and raise the status of inventors. Candidate must have two or more patents. Nominations by leaders from industry, research, academia and government. | $500,000 |
| Harvey Prize | November 1 | science and technology, human health, peace in the Middle East | Rewards excellence by recognizing breakthroughs in science and technology. | two awards of $50,000 each. Recipients are asked to come to the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology to receive their awards. While in Israel, recipients give lectures and meet with Israeli scientists, academicians, and leaders at Technion and other universities. Material from these lectures is published in a continuing library, the Harvey Prize Papers. |
| Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching | November 1 | all disciplines | To honor great teachers, to stimulate discussion in the academy about the value of teaching, and to encourage departments and institutions to value their own great teachers | $215,000 and will teach in residence at Baylor University during the spring semester following the award, plus travel and housing. Winner's home department will receive $35,000. |
| Constantine Panunzio Distinguished Emeriti Award | November 12 | humanities or social sciences | honors outstanding scholarly work or educational service (e.g. service in professional, University, Academic Senate, emeriti, departmental or editorial posts or committees) performed by a UC emeritus/emerita in the humanities or social sciences since retirement. | cash prize and certificate |
| Jose Vasconcelos World Award of Education | November 15 | education | Granted to a renowned educator, an authority in the teaching field or to a legislator of education with significant influence on the advancement of culture for mankind. Acceptable nominating authorities: rectors of universities, directors of institutes and organizations, members of the World Cultural Council, outstanding personalities in science and culture. | diploma, commemorative medal and $10,000 |
| Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Arts | November 15 | arts | Grants to artists for outstanding labor in benefit of mankind. Acceptable nominating authorities: rectors of universities, directors of institutes and organizations, members of the World Cultural Council, outstanding personalities in science and culture. | diploma, commemorative medal, and $10,000 |
| Albert Einstein World Award of Science | November 15 | scientific and technological research | Recognizes scientific and technological research and development that has brought benefit and well being to mankind. Acceptable nominating authorities: rectors of universities, directors of institutes and organizations, members of the World Cultural Council, outstanding personalities in science and culture. | diploma, commemorative medal, and $10,000 |
| Dan David Prize | November 25 | fields, topics, disciplinary areas as specified in the current Dan David announcement | The Prize covers three time dimensions (past, present, and future) that represent realms of human achievement. Nominees may be individuals and organizations. The 2004 topics are - Past: Cities (Historical Legacy), Present: Leadership (Changing Our World) Future: Brain Sciences | three prizes of $1 million each per year |
| International Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis | November 30 | applied laser technology | Open to applicants who have contributed outstanding innovations to applied laser technology through development or research on application or generation of laser light. | three prizes: 20,000 Euros, 10,000 Euros, and 5,000 Euros |
| Straniak Philosophy Prize | November 30 | philosophy | Awards scientific contributions dealing with the relationship of man to Time within the framework of a Western-Christian/Asian philosophic-religious comparison. The 2004 Straniak Philosophy Prize is for the topic: "The Philosophical Interpretation of History" - How were and are events, experiences and interpretations of history in Eastern and Western cultures philosophically reflected and processed into new forms of self-interpretation and interpreting the foreign aspects. | 30,000 Swiss Francs (around $21,000 USD) |
| NSF Alan T. Waterman Award | November 30 | any field of science or engineering funded by the National Science Foundation | Presented annually to an outstanding young researcher in any field of science or engineering funded by NSF. | citation, bronze medal, and nonrestrictive 3-year research grant of $500,000 |
| Ernest Boyer Award for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Technology | December 1 | all disciplines | Award recognizes exceptional faculty achievements in enhancing the learning process. | $5,000, trophy, engraved plaque |
| Erwin Plein Nemmers Prize in EconomicsFrederic Esser Nemmers Prize in Mathematics | December 1 | economics, mathematics | Candidacy for both Prizes are open to individuals with careers of outstanding achievement in their discipline, as demonstrated by major contributions to new knowledge or the development of significant new modes of analysis. The recipient of either Prize will deliver a public lecture and participate in other scholarly activities at Northwestern University for 10 weeks during the academic year. | each award is $150,000 |
| Volvo Environment Prize | December 1 | scientific, socio-economic or technological | Acknowledges persons who have made outstanding innovations or discoveries - scientific, socio-economic, or technological - which have a direct or indirect significance in the environmental field and are of global or regional importance. | ~$180,000 |
| Francis Bacon Award | December 1 | history of science, history of technology, historically-engaged philosophy of science | Biennial award to advance the field by recognizing and supporting first-rate scholarship that has been, and shows every sign of continuing to be, influential. Particularly seeking nominees whose work engages directly with scientific and technological concepts and processes. Limited to 1 - 2 nominations. | $20,000, serve 3 months as a visiting professor at Caltech |
| National Science Board's Vannevar Bush Award | December 15 | science and technology | Recognizes a senior statesperson who through public service activities in science and technology has made an outstanding contribution toward the welfare of mankind and the nation. | bronze medal, honored at an awards dinner |
| Bodossaki Foundation Academic Prizes | December 15 | science, engineering, medicine and technology (Invention) | Greek scientists or scholars of Greek origin who have earned international renown in science, technology and medicine. Awarded to scientists who have made decisive contributions towards furthering their scientific field. | four prizes of €20.500 each (around $22,500 USD) |
| Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence | December 31 | medical sciences | Honors innovative methods and research that resulted in novel discoveries and inventions, which have made an enormous impact in their fields. Topics for 2003-2004 are: 1. Emerging Viral and Prion Disease 2. Minimal Invasive Surgery Technology 3. Preventive and non-invasive Therapy of Gastrointestinal Disorders | approximately US $27,000, trophy, certificate |
| American Astronomical Society (AAS) Prizes | varies | astronomy | AAS awards and prizes recognize outstanding contributions in fields of astronomy. Approximately 15 awards. | varies |
| John W. Kluge Prize in the Human Sciences | new award | human sciences | The John W. Kluge Prize is designed deliberately to reward work in the wide range of disciplines not covered by the Nobel Prizes--including history, philosophy, politics, anthropology, sociology, religion, criticism in the arts and humanities, and linguistics. The Kluge Prize is international; the recipient may be of any nationality, writing in any language; and the award will be at the financial level of the Nobel awards. | |
| Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism | TBA | humanities & environmental | Biennial award to individuals or organizations who have made significant contributions to humanity or the environment in fields such as education, agriculture, environmental preservation, health, housing, human rights and job training. | $15,000 or gold medal |
| IOC Olympic Prize on Sport Sciences | TBA | sport science | Recognizes and honors research related to movement, exercise, and sport that significantly advances the science of human performance and health. Awarded every two years. (Temporarily on hold in 2003) | medal, diploma of excellence, and $500,000 |
| UC Berkeley's Distinguished Research Mentoring of Undergraduates | TBA | departments in the College of Letters and Science | Honor individual faculty members who have performed exceptional service as research mentors for undergraduate students. | $2,000 |
| UC Berkeley's Rhoda Goldman Award for Distinguished Faculty Advising of Undergraduates | TBA | departments in the College of Letters and Science | Recognizes faculty members who have made a significant contribution to undergraduate education by offering outstanding counsel and guidance to undergraduates in planning their academic and professional careers. at UC Berkeley. | $2,000 |