Application Process

• Eligibility

  The application incorporated ways of looking at the individual* holistically through narrative responses and work examples. Both the narrative components of the submission and the work example(s) provided will be included in the evaluation. Reviewers are not only looking at what an applicant has done, but also their commitment to continuing work in the field of science communication, science journalism, or practicing research science.
  *We recognize the importance of teamwork to many science communication and journalism endeavors; however, these awards are for individuals. Applicants had an opportunity to articulate the contributions of their collaborators.

  About You

  You are encouraged to apply if you worked in one of the categories described below, and you:

  • Can articulate what motivates you to create work(s) that improve the public’s interest, appreciation, or understanding of science, engineering, or medicine, and their impact on society.
  • Demonstrate a passion for science communication or journalism and can tell us how you got here and where you are headed.
  • Have at least one outstanding example of science communication or journalism that demonstrates your potential or ability to communicate the issues, beauty, societal benefits, complexities, shortcomings, or controversies of science, engineering, or medicine.
  • Can set forth a compelling case for what this award would mean to you.

  About Your Work

  You areasked to provide at least one – and no more than three – outstanding example(s) that clearly support the subcategory to which you are applying, and:

  • communicate scientific, engineering, or medical concepts to non-technical audiences

  • demonstrate clarity, creativity, originality, and accuracy

  • address issues or advances in science, engineering, or medicine

  • cover topics that have an impact on society

  • are presented in a way that a public audience can understand

  • had been published or released anytime in 2025

  Individuals who apply to the Research Scientist: Graduate Student Subcategory, are asked to include work examples that were published or released in 2025 and produced while they had graduate student status. Work examples published in 2025 but after graduation may be considered pending verification that they were produced while the individual had graduate student status. (Individuals are asked to explain how they would verify the production timeline of examples that were published after graduation.)

  For each work example provided, you are asked to focus the reviewers' attention, as necessary.

  A broad range of science communications and journalism are encouraged – from magazine/newspaper articles, film/video, TV and radio segments to podcasts, newsletters, social media content, mixed media works and installations, and public talks.

  Science fiction, reference books, textbooks, peer-reviewed articles, testimony, advertorials, and corporate-branded content are not eligible for consideration. Previous winners of this award, employees of the National Academies and Schmidt Sciences, and committee and jury members are not eligible, and posthumous awards are not permitted. This award is not for lifetime achievement. Applications and work examples must be in English or English translations must be provided

  Please contact program staff with any questions you may have regarding work examples.

  Submissions that include ineligible work examples may be disqualified.

• How to apply

  Applications will be accepted March 2 - April 3, 2026

  Given the breadth of this award program – and the volume of submissions – individuals are encouraged to be selective about the work(s) provided – focusing on the best examples – and to include links, uploads, and notes that direct reviewers to a starting point. Mapping out a starting point is especially important with long-form media such as books (direct reviewers to specific pages or chapters), film/video (beginning/ending timestamps), podcasts (specific episodes), and social media content (specific threads or posts), for example.

  Submissions that include ineligible work examples, long-form media or entire social media accounts, and websites as work examples - and do not map out a starting point - may be disqualified.

  Entries must be submitted through the online submission form in the category that most closely fit the submitter’s background by 11:59 p.m. ET, April 3, 2026. Works and applications translated into English are welcome. The program accepts one application per individual. There is no submission fee.

  Before applying, you are encouraged to read the contest rules.

  Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.