NAS Seeks Nominations for 2016 James Craig Watson Medal

Please help us identify outstanding candidates for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 2016 James Craig Watson Medal. The Watson Medal is awarded biennially to recognize major contributions to the science of astronomy. The recipient is awarded a gold-plated bronze medal and a $25,000 prize, and another $50,000 goes to a nonprofit research institution selected by the recipient for the promotion of astronomical science. Additional information, including a list of past recipients, can be found on the NAS website.

james-craig-watson-medal.jpg

Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 pm Eastern time, Thursday, 1 October 2015. Nominations must be submitted via the online nomination form and must include the following:

• A letter from the nominator describing the candidate's work and why he or she should be selected for the award.
• Curriculum vitae (no more than 2 pages).
• Bibliography listing no more than 12 of the nominee’s most significant publications.
• Two (2) letters of support.
• Support letters must be written by individuals from institutions outside both the nominator and the nominee’s institution.
• Members of the selection committee may not author support letters.
• A suggested citation.

Who May Nominate:

• NAS membership is not required to submit a nomination.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.

Who May Be Nominated:

• NAS membership is not required to be nominated.
• Nominees of all nationalities are eligible, based either in the USA or at international institutions.

Please help spread the word that the nomination process is under way.

— The James Craig Watson Medal Selection Committee (Victoria M. Kaspi (Chair), McGill University; John E. Carlstrom, University of Chicago; Neil Gehrels, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Andrea M. Ghez, University of California, Los Angeles; Fiona A. Harrison, California Institute of Technology; Chryssa Kouveliotou, George Washington University; David N. Spergel, Princeton University)