Polymer Physics Prize
To recognize outstanding accomplishment and excellence of contributions in polymer physics research. The prize consists of $10,000, up to $1,500 in travel reimbursement, and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. It is presented annually.
Rules and eligibility
Nominations are open to all scientists of all nations regardless of membership in the Society or the geographical location in which the work was carried out. The prize shall ordinarily be awarded to one person but a prize may be shared when all the recipients have contributed to the same accomplishments. Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.
Process and selection
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.
Selection Committee
- Rachel Segalman (Chair)
- Moon Park (Vice Chair)
- Kenneth Shull
- Matthew Tirrell
- Zhen-Gang Wang
Establishment and support
This prize was established in 1960 and fully endowed by APS in 2018. The prize is funded through the support of the DPOLY community and a number of commercial sponsors.
Recent recipients
Scott Milner
2025 recipient
For insightful contributions to the theory of polymer brushes, copolymers, molecular entanglement rheology, interaction parameter estimation, and polymer crystallization.
Zhen-Gang Wang
2024 recipient
For contributions to the theories of polymer physics in regard to nucleation, block polymer self-assembly, and polyelectrolytes, in particular, for the application of these theories to experimentally-motivated phenomena.
Jian Ping Gong
2023 recipient
For outstanding contributions to the understanding of mechanical and fracture properties of hydrogels based on novel network architectures and for discovering the concept of double network gels based on internal overstressed sacrificial bonds.
Sanat K Kumar
2022 recipient
For fundamental experimental, simulatory, and theoretical contributions to understanding structure, assembly, and dynamics in polymer nanocomposites and thin films.
Samson A. Jenekhe
2021 recipient
For pioneering and sustained outstanding contributions to the synthesis, photophysics, and structure-morphology-performance relationships in semiconducting polymers for electronic and photovoltaic applications.
The membership of APS is diverse and global, and the nominees and recipients of APS Honors should reflect that diversity so that all are recognized for their impact on our community. Nominations of members belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in physics, such as women, LGBT+ scientists, scientists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), disabled scientists, scientists from institutions with limited resources, and scientists from outside the United States, are especially encouraged.
Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.