The Van Biesbroeck Prize is normally awarded every two years and honors a living individual for long-term extraordinary or unselfish service to astronomy, often beyond the requirements of his or her paid position. The AAS assumed responsibility for the Prize in 1997.

Year Recipient
Awarded by AAS
2012 C. Megan Urry
2011 David S. Leckrone
2010 Virginia Trimble
2009 Father George V. Coyne
2008 Peter Stetson
2007 Stephen P. Maran
2006 omitted
2005 Eric Greisen
2004 Rodger Doxsey
2003 Donat G. Wentzel
2002 Victor M. Blanco
2001 Michael J. Kurtz
2000 D. Harold McNamara
1999 Barry M. Lasker
1998 Frank J. Lovas
1997 Helmut A. Abt

Awarded by Van Biesbroeck Award, Inc.
1996 Dave Crawford
1995 Arlo U. Landolt
1994 Wayne H. Warren, Jr.
1993 Janet Mattei
1992 Bob Kurucz
1991 Barry Clark
1990 Aden Meinel
1989 Brian Marsden
1988 Dorrit Hoffleit
1987 omitted
1986 John Hill
1985 Mark Giampapa
1984 John Stocke
1983 skipped
1982 Erick Young
1981 Marc Aaronson, Jeremy Mould
1980 Marcia Rieke
1979 Scott Davis