The Tinsley Prize recognizes an outstanding research contribution to astronomy or astrophysics, of an exceptionally creative or innovative character. The Prize is normally awarded every two years. No restrictions are placed on a candidate's citizenship or country of residency.

Year Recipient
2012 Ronald L. Gilliland
2010 Drake Deming
2008 Mark Reid
2006 John E. Carlstrom
2004 Ronald J. Reynolds
2002 Geoffrey W. Marcy, R. Paul Butler, Steven S. Vogt
2000 Charles Alcock
1998 Robert E. Williams
1996 Aleksander Wolszczan
1994 Raymond Davis
1992 Robert H. Dicke
1990 Antoine Labeyrie
1988 Harold I. Ewen, Edward M. Purcell
1986 S. Jocelyn Bell Burnell