HEAD Distinguished Career Prize

About this program

The High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) of the AAS awards the Distinguished Career Prize at its Division Meeting to honor an individual for outstanding lifetime contributions to high-energy astrophysics (research and/or mentorship); the winner gives an invited talk and receives $1,500, waived meeting registration, and up to $1,500 in travel support. Any astrophysicist is eligible and need not be a HEAD/AAS member, but nominees are typically more than 15 years past their PhD and nominations of prior major-award recipients (e.g., Rossi Prize winners) are discouraged. Nominations (self-nominations allowed) must include a 1–2 page cover letter, a 1–2 page nomination statement describing the nominee’s impact with references to published results, and three letters of support (at least one from a HEAD member); nominations remain valid for three years. Deadline for submission is September 30, 2026.