The John P. McGovern Award Lecture in the Behavioral Sciences is an honor conferred annually by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). As one of the largest general scientific societies globally, AAAS promotes the advancement of science and engineering throughout the world. This award recognizes a distinguished behavioral scientist for their contributions to the field and offers an opportunity to present a lecture at the AAAS Annual Meeting.
The selected awardee will receive a $5,000 monetary prize, a commemorative John P. McGovern Award Medallion, complimentary registration for the AAAS Annual Meeting, hotel accommodations, and reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses. The lecture and award ceremony will be part of the 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting held in Boston, Massachusetts.
Candidates eligible for this award must be researchers or academics in the field of behavioral sciences who have made significant contributions to the field through avenues such as research, publications, mentorship, or professorship. Candidates must also be compelling public speakers and demonstrate a strong ethical and professional standing. AAAS encourages self-nominations and actively seeks candidates from diverse backgrounds and geographic regions to uphold its commitment to inclusivity and scientific excellence.
Applicants must submit all required materials in English. The nomination packet must include the candidate's name, position, institution, email, and phone number, a 25-30 word citation summarizing their accomplishments, a longer nomination statement of up to three pages, a curriculum vitae of no more than five pages, and one mandatory letter of support from a colleague familiar with the candidate’s professional work and character. Up to two additional letters and supporting materials such as articles or links to previous talks may also be submitted.
The application period for the 2026 cycle opens on April 15, 2025, and the submission deadline is June 30, 2025. All inquiries should be directed to awards@aaas.org with "John P. McGovern Award Lecture" in the subject line. This prestigious award has been given to numerous renowned figures in behavioral science, including Daniel Kahneman, Elizabeth Loftus, and Susan T. Fiske.
