Science Communication Awards

The Science Communication Awards of the American Institute of Physics (AIP) are established to promote effective science communication in print, broadcast, and new media in order to improve the general public's appreciation of physics, astronomy, and allied science fields.

Entries will be judged by a committee of distinguished scientists and journalists selected by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) and approved by the AIP's Governing Board.

Winning authors will receive a prize of $3,000, an engraved presentation piece, and a certificate of recognition. The publisher will also receive a certificate of recognition. AIP will pay the winning authors' travel expenses to a ceremony where the awards will be presented.

Award Categories

Science Writing:
Work must be intended for a general audience. Submissions will be judged on their ability to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of physics and related fields. For 2013, this category is restricted to magazine and newspaper articles published, in print, in 2012.

Writing for Children
Entries in this category must be in the form of books, news or feature stories, multimedia, or Web content created specifically for children 15 years old or younger. For 2013, this category is restricted to work published in 2012.

New Media
Entries must be work created specifically for the Web and must attempt to make effective use of the medium. Examples include news and feature stories, blog entries, and multimedia (e.g. video, podcasts, slideshows, and other interactive features.) For 2013, this category is restricted to work published or broadcast in 2012. Admissions must identify a clearly definable portion of the site to be considered. Books, printed articles, entire websites, and work intended solely for children are not eligible to compete in this category.

Rules

Entries must be in English
No more than three entries may be submitted by a single author or group of authors per year.
Authors may elect to have multiple (up to three) submissions judged as a single entry if they are part of a coherent story arc. Authors must check the “series entry” box on the submission form.
Collaborative efforts on a single projects will be considered a single entry, and prize money will be split accordingly.
Work produced by employees of the AIP, or by current members of the judging panel, is not eligible. The winners from the previous year are not eligible. No author may receive more than three awards.

To Submit an Entry

Entries for the 2013 awards must be received or postmarked no later than February 22, 2013.

Authors or publishers can submit an entry using the online entry form. They can also download a paper entry form. Downloaded entry forms can be mailed to the address below; faxed to (301) 209-0846; or emailed to .

For print materials: Each submission must include a completed entry form and nine original copies of the book or article. All print materials should be sent to:

American Institute of Physics
News & Media Services
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740-3843
Attention: Jennifer Lauren Lee

Printed PDF copies of magazine articles will be accepted only if they faithfully render the appearance of the original article. B&W photocopies of full-color originals are not acceptable. All entries become the property of the American Institute of Physics and will not be returned to the author or publisher.

For Web materials: Each submission must include a completed entry form and a URL for the online material. URLs may also be emailed to with “Science Communication Awards” in the subject line. If your work is part of a larger Web presence, please clearly define the extent of your submission.

For questions, please contact .