HEAD Early Career Prize

About this program

The AAS High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) awards the HEAD Early Career Prize for a significant observational or theoretical advance in high-energy astrophysics by an individual within 10 years of receiving their PhD, with cited work required to be published in a refereed journal. The prize includes $1,500 and a framed certificate, plus up to $1,500 toward transportation and lodging and waived meeting registration to attend the HEAD meeting. Eligible applicants must have received their PhD within 10 years of the HEAD meeting date (allowances are made for career interruptions such as family leave) and nominations must include a cover letter, a nomination statement listing specific paper(s) with bibliographic details and the nominee’s specific contributions for multi-author works, and the PhD date. Self-nominations are permitted; submissions must use the Early Career Prize nomination form, are due September 30, 2026, and are not carried over to the next cycle.