Alan T. Waterman Award

National Science Foundation modifies Alan T. Waterman Award eligibility criteria | NSF ... Page 1 of 3

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News Release 17-037

National Science Foundation modifies Alan T.
Waterman Award eligibility criteria
Change approved to draw more nominees, including women and underrepresented minorities

Alan T. Waterman Award medal.
Credit and Larger Version (/news/news_images.jsp?cntn_id=191685&org=NSF)

April 18, 2017
The National Science Foundation (NSF) today announced changes in eligibility requirements for the
Alan T. Waterman Award, which annually recognizes an outstanding young researcher in any field of
science or engineering supported by NSF.
Scientists 40 years of age or younger, or up to 10 years post Ph.D., now may be nominated for the
award. Previous requirements mandated nominees be 35 years or younger or up to seven years post
Ph.D.
These new criteria take effect with the 2018 competition, which opens late summer 2017.
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National Science Foundation modifies Alan T. Waterman Award eligibility criteria | NSF ... Page 2 of 3

"The research world has changed, and NSF needs to be responsive and understanding to the change,"
said NSF Director France Córdova. "For various reasons, many delay their research pursuits until later
years."
Other requirements have not changed. A candidate should have demonstrated, exceptional, individual
achievement in scientific or engineering research of sufficient quality, originality, innovation and
significant impact on the field so as to situate him or her as a leader among peers.
NSF requested the criteria be modified to increase the number of excellent and diverse applicants.
NSF's National Science Board (NSB) approved the modifications in November 2016.
"This was motivated in part by community comments noting that only two women have won the
Waterman award in the last 15 years. By allowing 'Ph.D. plus ten years' instead of 'plus 7' and moving
from age 35 to 40, I think we are accounting for how much early research careers have changed since
we last adjusted eligibility rules in 1999," said NSB Chair Maria Zuber.
NSF hopes that the change draws more nominees, including women and underrepresented minorities.
As the primary supporter of fundamental science and engineering research in the United States, NSF is
committed to recognizing early career researchers at the forefront of their fields and to ensuring every
excellent, young scientist has the opportunity to be nominated for the award.
Congress established the Alan T. Waterman Award in August 1975 to mark the 25th anniversary of
NSF and to honor its first director.
In addition to a medal, the awardee receives a grant of $1 million distributed over five years for
scientific research or advanced study in the mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, social or
other sciences at the institution of the recipient's choice.
For more information, please see the Waterman Award fact sheet
.
-NSF-

Media Contacts
Bobbie Mixon, NSF, (703) 292-8485, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental
research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2017, its budget
is $7.5 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and
other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 48,000 competitive proposals for funding and
makes about 12,000 new funding awards.
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Alan T. Waterman Award

Privacy Act and Public Burden Statements
Privacy Act Statement
The information requested on the application materials is solicited under the authority of the National
Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. It will be used in connection with the selection of qualified
applicants and may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the review process,
and to government contractors as necessary to complete assigned work, and to a court or party in a court
or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party.
Notice of the decision may be given to nominators, and disclosure may be made of awardees? names,
home institutions, and field of study for public information purposes including press releases. See Systems
of Records, NSF-12, "Fellowships and Other Awards," 63 Federal Register 265 (January 5, 1998).
Submission of the information is voluntary; however, failure to provide full and complete information may
reduce the possibility of receiving an award.

Public Burden Statement
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Office of the Director
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Email: [email protected]

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