FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Shelley O’Brien
202-588-8175
obrien@awis.org
AWIS Announces Call for 2026 Annual Member Award Nominations
WASHINGTON DC, August 14, 2026 – The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Annual Awards. These awards recognize AWIS members who are making an impact within their fields, workplaces, and communities through strong leadership, innovative thinking, and a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility. These awards align with AWIS’ values of recognition, fairness, and inclusion which are critical components of driving excellence in STEM.
“We know so many AWIS members are quietly doing the work to ensure inclusive spaces by mentoring, advocating for change, and opening doors for the current and next generation,” said Meredith Gibson, CEO of AWIS. “The AWIS Annual Awards are an opportunity to celebrate their stories and to encourage others to get involved.”
Award Categories:
- Spark Award – Highlights a student or early career leader in STEM who is a visible and vocal advocate for diversity and inclusive scientific practices.
- Meridian Award – Recognizes a mid-career professional whose diversity and inclusion efforts represent a true leader in the pursuit of workplace equity.
- Zenith Award – Honors a senior career professional’s lifetime of innovative achievements and commitment to workplace diversity in STEM.
Self-nominations will be accepted through 11:59 pm ET on September 21, 2026. If you are not a member, you can join during the application period.
To review the application requirements, access the nomination form, or read about the accomplishments and contributions of prior awardees, please visit awis.org/annual-awards/.
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About AWIS: Founded in 1971, AWIS is dedicated to driving equity and excellence in STEM by championing the interests of women across all disciplines and employment sectors so they can achieve their full potential. AWIS advocacy initiatives are committed to driving systemic change to support the 12.3M women in STEM. Our supportive community provides a sense of belonging, as well as career resources, scholarships, and opportunities for networking, mentoring, volunteering, recognition, and professional development to over 7,000 members. AWIS communications inspire over 67,000 social media followers, 32,000 monthly website visitors, and 24,000 newsletter subscribers globally. To become an AWIS member, learn about partner opportunities, or donate visit www.awis.org.