2022 UPDATE: AIP’s Science Communication Awards will remain on hold this year.
After more than 50 years of awarding journalists and science writers, AIP is pausing the Science Communication Awards program and evaluating what its future should look like. Please check back in December 2022 for information. For questions, please contact [email protected].
Since 1968, it has been our honor to present 230 awards to scientists, journalists, authors and broadcasters for science writing and media that improves the general public's appreciation of the physical sciences, astronomy, math and related science fields. The full archive of award winners is listed below within each category.
We also encourage participation in science writing awards presented by AIP Member Societies and affiliates, as well as the D.C. Science Writers Association & the National Science Writers Association.
AIP Member Societies Communication Awards
AAS: Chambliss Astronomical Writing Award
AAS Solar Physics Division: Popular Media Award
AAPT: Klopsteg Memorial Lecture
ACA: Elizabeth A. Wood Science Writing Award
AMS: The Louis J. Battan Author's Award – Adult
AMS: The Louis J. Battan Author's Award - K-12
AMS: The Award for Distinguished Science Journalism in the Atmospheric and Related Sciences
APS: Dwight Nicholson Medal for Outreach
ASA: Science Communication Awards in Acoustics
Optica: Joseph W. Goodman Book Writing Award
American Association for the Advancement of Science
AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards
D.C. Science Writers Association Communication Awards
DCSWA Newsbrief Awards for Short Science Journalism
National Science Writers Association Communication Awards
NASW Science in Society Journalism Awards
NASW Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards
Award categories
Science Writing: Books
Entries must be intended for a general audience. Submissions are judged on their ability to enhance the public’s understanding and appreciation of physics and related fields. Hardcopies are required.
See award winners.
Science Writing: Newspaper, Magazine, and Online Articles
Entries must be intended for a general audience. Submissions are judged on their ability to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of physics and related fields. Hardcopies or PDFs are accepted.
See award winners.
Broadcast and New Media
Entries must be intended for a general audience. Submissions may include TV programs, films, online videos, radio segments, podcasts and works of new media. Please note: Works of "new media" are distinct from "online articles," which should be entered in the separate category above. Just because something is available online does not make it new media, and works of new media are expected to incorporate substantial audio, visual or interactive elements into the storytelling.
See award winners.
Writing for Children
Entries must be in the form of books, news or feature stories, multimedia or Web content created specifically for children 15 years old or younger.
See award winners.