Awards
Nomination process and schedule
The 2026 awards cycle is open.
Submit your nominations for 2026.
The deadline is Thursday, November 20, 2025.
For questions, please contact awards@esa.org.
ESA welcomes nominations that reflect the diversity of the Society’s members. Unless otherwise stated, nominees may be of any nationality or place of residence with priority given to ESA members.
The 2026 ESA Awards deadline is Thursday, November 20, 2025. All submissions must be submitted through the online awards submission site for review. Incomplete nominations will not be reviewed by any of the Awards Subcommittees.
If you would like to include the nominee in the submission process, you can make them a collaborator of the form. In the top right corner of the application, you can select the “Manage Collaborators” button. From there, add the nominees name and email address and they can edit portions of the form. Only the nominator has the ability to submit the form.
If you are nominating someone for the George Mercer Award for an Outstanding Paper by An Early Career Researcher, W.S. Cooper Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Fields of Geobotany and/or Physiographic Ecology, or the Sustainability Science Award for Scholarly Work you need to include a letter of nomination with the full citation and an electronic copy of the publication. George Mercer Award for an Outstanding Paper by An Early Career Researcher and W.S. Cooper Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Fields of Geobotany and/or Physiographic Ecology nominations also need to include one required letter of support and no more than two additional letters of support. The letter of nomination and letters of support should be no longer than two pages. If a publisher nominates a book for the Sustainability Science Award for Scholarly Work it must be accompanied by other non-publisher nominations (i.e., academics and/or practitioners).
If you are nominating someone for the Eugene P. Odum Award for Excellence in Ecology Education, the nomination should include a letter of nomination not to exceed 2 pages, a curriculum vitae of at most four pages that focuses on the nominee’s education-related activities, one required letter of support (two-pages maximum), one or two additional letters of support (each two pages maximum), and optional supplemental files, not to exceed 10 pages, that provide evidence and artifacts of the nominee’s relevant education activities, especially those that are not publicly available.
If you are nominating someone for either a Fellow or an Early Career Fellow nomination, three nominators will need to submit a joint letter that describes the nominee’s most significant contributions and their impact in the areas of research & discovery, communication & outreach, teaching & pedagogy, and application to management & policy, a curriculum vitae at most four pages and at least one and preferably two additional letters of support. The letter of nomination and letters of support should be no longer than two pages.
For all other awards you should include a letter of nomination, a curriculum vitae at most four pages, one required letter of support, and no more than two additional letters of support unless noted at the top of the individual award submission page within the online submission site. The letter of nomination and letters of support should be no longer than two pages. For all questions, please contact awards@esa.org.
Self nominations aren’t accepted except for The Forrest Shreve Student Research Fund for Research in the Hot Deserts of North America.
In Spring 2022, the ESA Governing Board adopted a formal Conflict of Interest (COI) policy for the Awards and Fellows program.
ESA members holding the following leadership positions, and their immediate family members (spouse / life partner, children, parents, siblings), are not eligible to be candidates for awards or Fellows during their term of service (with some exceptions, noted below):
- ESA Governing Board Member
- ESA Awards Chair
- Awards Nomination Subcommittee Members
- Award Subcommittee chairs and members (ineligible to be candidates for their respective award)
- Section and Chapter Executive Committee members and selection committee members (ineligible to be candidates for awards from their section/chapter)
Sitting Governing Board members and the Award Chair are unable to submit award nominations during their term.
The purpose of the ESA Conflict of Interest Policy is to avert, to the extent possible, biasing circumstances, or the appearance of biasing circumstances, in the selection of ESA honorees.
Past Press Releases
ESA Awards
Eminent Ecologist Award
The Eminent Ecologist Award is given to a senior ecologist in recognition of an outstanding body of ecological work or of sustained ecological contributions of extraordinary merit.
Introduced in 1953, the award includes:
- Lifetime Membership
- $700 Travel Award
- Globe
For more information on the Eminent Ecologist award, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: William Schlesinger, Juan Carlos Castilla, Gretchen Daily, Jianguo (Jack) Liu, Steward T.A. Pickett, Monica G. Turner.
Awards Committee
See the list of this year’s members.
Robert H. MacArthur Award for Meritorious Contributions by a Mid-Career Ecologist
The Robert H. MacArthur Award for Meritorious Contributions by A Mid-Career Ecologist is given to an established ecologist in mid-career for meritorious contributions to ecology, in the expectation of continued outstanding ecological research and who generally are within 25 years from PhD.
Please note:
The award is given every other year. The award is open every even year. The MacArthur lecture is given during the following year at the Scientific Plenary Session.
Established in 1983, the award recognizes winners with:
- $5,000 cash award
- $700 travel award
- Globe
For more information on the Robert H. MacArthur Award for Meritorious Contributions by A Mid-Career Ecologist, select the following link, here.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Kathleen Treseder, Priyanga Amarasekare, Jonathan M. Levine, Katharine N. Suding, Anurag A. Agrawal.
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
Eugene P. Odum Award for Excellence in Ecology Education
The Eugene P. Odum Award celebrates sustained, outstanding work in ecology education. This award was generously endowed by, and named for, the distinguished ecologist Eugene P. Odum. Through teaching, outreach, mentoring and/or other educational scholarship activities, recipients of this award have demonstrated their exceptional abilities to help others learn about ecology and its relevance to humanity. Nominations recognizing achievements in education in universities, K–12 schools, and other contexts are all encouraged.
Introduced in the year 2000, recipients are recognized with:
- $1,000 cash award
- $700 travel award
- A special trophy
For more information on the Eugene P. Odum Award, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Luanna Prevost, Kari O’Connell, Jorge Ramos, Laurel J. Anderson, George Middendorf, Jennifer Funk.
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
George Mercer Award for an Outstanding Paper by an Early-Career Researcher
The George Mercer Award for an Outstanding Paper by an Early-Career Researcher is given for an outstanding ecological research paper published by a younger researcher. A paper is published when it’s first put on the journal’s website as an accepted paper.
Started in 1948, this award offers:
- $2000 cash award & $700 travel for the 1st author if under 40 years old
(the lead author must be 40 years of age or younger at the time of publication). - If the award is given for a paper with multiple authors, all authors will receive a plaque, and those 40 years of age or younger at the time of publication will share the monetary prize.
- Nomination letters should include the birth date(s) of the eligible author(s) and explain the novelty and importance of the paper.
- The paper must have been published in 2024 or 2025 to be eligible for this year’s award.
For more information on the George Mercer Award for an Outstanding Paper by an Early-Career Researcher, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Lynette H.L. Loke and Ryan A. Chisholm
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
W.S. Cooper Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Fields of Geobotany and/or Physiographic Ecology
The W. S. Cooper Award is given to honor an outstanding contributor to the fields of geobotany and/or physiographic ecology, the fields in which W. S. Cooper worked. This award is for a single contribution in a scientific publication (single or multiple authored).
First awarded in 1985 the award recognizes recipients with:
- $700 travel award for the 1st author
- Plaques for each author
For more information on the W.S. Cooper Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Fields of Geobotany and/or Physiographic Ecology, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Matthias Grenié, Emilio Berti, Juan D. Carvajal‐Quintero, Gala Mona Louise Dädlow, Alban Sagouis and Marten Winter
Awards Committee
See this year’s committee roster.
Distinguished Lifetime Service Award
The Distinguished Lifetime Service Award is given to recognize long and distinguished volunteer service to the ESA, to the larger scientific community, and to the larger purpose of ecology in the public welfare.
First awarded in 1975, the award recognizes winners with:
- $700 travel award
- Plaque
For more information on the Distinguished Lifetime Service Award, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Carmen R. Cid, Alan Berkowitz, Paul L. Ringold, Harold E. Balbach, Jill S. Baron, Charles Canham.
Awards Committee
This year’s list of the award’s committee.
Sustainability Science Award for Scholarly Work
The Sustainability Science Award for Scholarly Work is given to the authors of a scholarly work that makes the greatest contribution to the emerging science of ecosystem and regional sustainability through the integration of ecological and social sciences. One of the most pressing challenges facing humanity is the sustainability of important ecological, social, and cultural processes in the face of changes in the forces that shape ecosystems and regions.
Introduced in 2004, this award is for a single scholarly contribution (book, book chapter, or peer-reviewed journal article) published in the last five years and recipients are provided a:
- $700 travel award for 1st author
- Plaques for each author
For more information on the Sustainability Science Award for Scholarly Work, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Joshua H. Daskin, Angeline N. Meeks, Vivienne L. Sclater, Julie M. Sorfleet, Jon Oetting, Thomas S. Hoctor, Joseph M. Guthrie and Hilary M. Swain
Awards Committee
See this year’s members.
Commitment to Human Diversity in Ecology
The Commitment to Human Diversity in Ecology Award is in recognition of long-standing contributions of an individual toward increasing the diversity of future ecologists through mentoring, teaching, or outreach.
Introduced in 2010:
- $700 travel award.
- Plaque
For more information on the Commitment to Human Diversity in Ecology Award, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Nicole M. Colón Carrión, Porché Spence, Wilnelia Recart Gonzalez, Stan D. Wullschleger, Erika S. Zavaleta, Maria Miriti.
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
Fakhri A. Bazzaz and Steward T.A. Pickett Mentorship Award for Enhancing Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in Ecology
This award honors two eminent ecologists who were committed to mentoring towards diversity, inclusion and belonging and whose work has inspired generations. Both Steward Pickett and the late Fakhri Bazzaz, who was Pickett’s doctoral advisor, are renowned for their passion in broadening participation and mentoring a wide diversity of aspiring scientists to tackle the most challenging ecological issues of our time.
Started in 2025,
- $1,000 cash prize
- $700 Travel Award
- Plaque
For more information on the Fakhri A. Bazzaz and Steward T.A. Pickett Mentorship Award to Enhance Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in Ecology, select this link.
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
Robert H. Whittaker Distinguished Ecologist Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Non-U.S. Citizen Residing Outside the U.S.
The Robert H. Whittaker Distinguished Ecologist Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Non-U.S. Citizen Residing Outside the U.S. recognizes an ecologist with an earned doctorate and an outstanding record of contributions in ecology who is not a U.S. citizen and who resides outside the United States. The award will be given every other year. The award is open every odd year.
Introduced in 2014, the award includes
- $1,400 Travel Award
- Plaque.
For more information on the Robert H. Whittaker Distinguished Ecologist Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Non-U.S. Citizen Residing Outside the U.S. select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Montserrat Vilà, Volker Grimm, Juan J. Armesto, David A. Wardle, Jingyun Fang, David B. Lindenmayer.
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
Emerging Ecologist Award for Outstanding Contributions from a Scientist from a Developing Nation
This Emerging Ecologist Award for Outstanding Contributions from a Scientist from a Developing Nation recognizes an ecologist from a developing nation that is early to mid-career for an outstanding record of contributions in Ecology. The award will be given every other year. The award is open every even year.
Started in 2015,
- $1,400 Travel Award
- Plaque
For more information on the Emerging Ecologist Award for Outstanding Contributions from a Scientist from a Developing Nation, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Yanjie Liu, Jingyun Fang, David B. Lindenmayer, Petr Pyšek, Ezatollah Karami.
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
Murray F. Buell Award for an Outstanding Student Presentation at the ESA Annual Meeting & E. Lucy Braun Award for an Outstanding Student Poster Presentation at the ESA Annual Meeting
These are two specific awards.
Murray F. Buell Award for an Outstanding Student Presentation at the ESA Annual Meeting
Murray F. Buell had a long and distinguished record of service and accomplishment in the Ecological Society of America. Among other things, he ascribed great importance to the participation of students in meetings and to excellence in the presentation of papers. To honor his selfless dedication to the younger generation of ecologists, the Murray F. Buell Award for an Outstanding Student Presentation at the ESA Annual Meeting is given to a student for the outstanding oral paper presented at the ESA Annual Meeting.
Started in 1977 the award offers:
- A certificate and a check for $500 will be presented to each recipient at the following ESA Annual Meeting.
- The student will also receive up to $700 for travel expenses to the Annual Meeting.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Larissa Saarel, Jacob Levine, Sarah Rothman, Reut Vardi, Mahi Puri, Sara P. Bombaci.
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
E. Lucy Braun Award for an Outstanding Student Poster Presentation at the ESA Annual Meeting
Lucy Braun, an eminent plant ecologist and one of the charter members of the Society, studied and mapped the deciduous forest regions of eastern North America and described them in her classic book, The Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America. To honor her, the E. Lucy Braun Award for an Outstanding Student Poster Presentation at the ESA Annual Meeting is given to a student for the outstanding poster presentation at the ESA Annual Meeting.
Started in 1988:
- A certificate and a check for $500 will be presented to each recipient at the following ESA Annual Meeting.
- The student will also receive up to $700 for travel expenses to the Annual Meeting.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Gayatri Anand, Alivia Nytko, Shannon M. Collins, Caroline S. Dallstream, Katherine S. Rocci, Jacqueline J. Peña.
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
For more information on the Buell and Braun Awards, select this link.
ESA Fellows Program
These are two specific awards.
ESA Early Career Fellow
ESA designates an Early Career Fellow of the Society as certain early career members (typically chosen at least 3 years after, but within 8 years of receiving the Ph.D.) who have begun making and show promise of continuing to make outstanding contributions to a wide range of fields served by ESA. Such contributions include, but are not restricted to, those that advance or apply ecological knowledge in academics, government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
- 5 Year Term
- Certificate
For more information on Early Career Fellows, select this link.
Past Recipients:
Recent recipients include: Sarah Anderson, Daniel Becker, Joanna Bernhardt, Joan Dudney, Benjamin Freeman, Winslow Hansen, Lisa McManus, Bruno Soares, Tara Stewart Merrill, Benton Taylor
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
ESA Fellows
ESA designates as Fellows of the Society certain members who have made outstanding contributions to a wide range of fields served by ESA. Such contributions include, but are not restricted to, those that advance or apply ecological knowledge in academics, government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
- They are elected for life.
- Awardees receive a certificate.
For more information on Fellows, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Paul Armsworth, Donald DeAngelis, Robert Fletcher, Daniel Laughlin, Elena Litchman, Dennis Ojima, Jason Rohr, and Richard Tracy
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
The Forrest Shreve Student Research Fund for Research in the Hot Deserts of North America
An award given to support research in the hot deserts of North America: Sonoran, Mojave, Chihuahuan, and Vizcaino. Projects considered are ecological and increase our understanding of the patterns and processes of deserts and/or desert organisms. Proposals are ranked based on the importance of the project toward understanding desert ecology, feasibility, experimental design and innovation.
- $1,000-2,000
- Awarded Annually
For more information on the The Forrest Shreve Student Research Fund for Research in the Hot Deserts of North America, select this link.
Past Recipients
Recent recipients include: Taylor R. Pichler, Benjy Sedano-Herrera, Sadie Roth, Christopher T. Cosma, Edauri Navarro-Pérez
Awards Committee
List of this year’s members.
Chapter and Section Awards
Many of ESA’s component suborganizations, the geographic chapters and interest-based sections, manage awards of their own. Visit their websites to learn more about the following: