HEAD Innovation Prize

About this program

The AAS High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD) awards the Innovation Prize approximately every 18 months to recognize innovative, foundational, or revolutionary instrumentation or software that has enabled groundbreaking results in high-energy astrophysics. The prize may be given to individuals or teams and includes a $1,500 cash award, a framed certificate, waived Divisional Meeting registration, and up to $1,500 in travel/lodging support for up to two recipients who will give an invited talk at the meeting. Nominations (including self-nominations) must include a cover letter, up to five peer‑reviewed publications enabled by the work, and a nomination statement detailing the specific contribution, its relevance to high-energy astrophysics, and the nominee(s)’ role; submit via the Innovation Prize nomination form by September 30, 2026 (nominations are not carried over).