Established to recognize contributions of the highest level that advance our knowledge and understanding of the physical universe in all its facets. It is intended to celebrate scientific inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge.

The Medal carries with it a prize of $50,000, a certificate citing the contribution made by the recipient, an allowance for travel to the APS Medal and Prize Ceremony and Reception in Washington D.C. in January 2021 and an invited talk at an APS March or April Meeting.

Establishment & Support

The APS Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research is the largest Society prize to recognize the achievement of researchers from across all fields of physics. It is funded by a generous donation from Jay Jones, entrepreneur.

Rules & Eligibility

The prize will be awarded annually without restriction by subfield of physics or by nationality. The award shall ordinarily be awarded to a single person, but a prize may be shared by up to three recipients. Previous winners of other APS Prizes and Awards are eligible. Nominations are active for three years. Self-nominations are not permitted.

Nomination & Selection Process

Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2020

The nomination package must include:

A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the qualifications of the nominee(s).

In addition, the nomination should include:

A biographical sketch.

A list of the most important publications.

At least two, but not more than four, seconding letters.

Up to five reprints or preprints.

To start a new or update a continuing nomination, please see the Prize & Award Nomination Guidelines.

Selection Committee

The selection committee will be the APS Society Medal and Prize Committee which consists of the APS President-Elect, all APS Councilors representing the Divisions of the Society and one additional Councilor appointed by the President-Elect from the Councilors not representing the Divisions. The chair is the President-Elect.

2021 Selection Committee Members: Sylvester Gates (Chair), Sam Bader, Baha Balantekin, Beverly Berger, Charles Bennett, Amitava Bhattacharjee, William Bialek, Robert Continetti, James Freericks, John Fourkas, William Halperin, Stuart Henderson, Heinrich Jaeger, Phil Johnson, Cole Miller, Murugappan Muthukumar, David Schultz, Elizabeth Simmons, Howard Stone

Serving a diverse and inclusive community of physicists worldwide is a primary goal for APS. Nominations of qualified women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and scientists from outside the United States are especially encouraged.