Maria Goeppert Mayer Award

To recognize and enhance outstanding achievement by a woman physicist in the early years of her career, and to provide opportunities for her to present these achievements to others through public lectures in the spirit of Maria Goeppert Mayer. The award consists of $2,500 plus a $4,000 travel allowance to provide opportunities for the recipient to give lectures in her field of physics at four institutions and at the meeting of the Society at which the award is bestowed and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. The award will be presented annually.

Establishment & Support

The award was established in 1985 through sponsorship by the General Electric Foundation (now the GE Fund).

Rules & Eligibility

This award is to be given to a woman during the early years of her career, not later than ten years after the granting of the Ph.D. degree, for scientific achievements that demonstrate her potential as an outstanding physicist. The lectures must be given at institutions within the United States or its possessions within two years after the award is made. Nominations are active for three years. The nominee must not have received her PhD earlier than ten years prior to the nomination deadline.

Nomination & Selection Process

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.

The deadline for submission of nominations for the 2014 prize is July 1, 2013. The nomination package must include:

• A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the nominees qualifications.

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.

There may be additional requirements for particular prizes and awards. Please read the rules carefully.

To complete a nomination click here for the electronic form. Letters can be signed electronically (for example, using an embedded facsimile) or physically. In the latter case, they should be digitally scanned. Filenames should include the name of the nominee.

Please contact Shelly Johnston for information on submitting updated material for nominations held-over from the previous selection process.

Selection Committee Members: Amanda Peet, Chair; Evelyn Monsay; Feryal Ozel; Marianna Safronova; Francesca Sammarruca

Nomination Guidelines