ASM Awards and Prize FAQs
Nominations for the 2025 Awards and Prize cycle are now closed. Nominations for the 2026 Awards and Prize cycle will open in May 2025.
Important Information
- Self-nominations for awards will not be accepted. You cannot nominate yourself for any award.
- Starting in 2024, both nominations and applications (which do not require a nominator) are accepted for the Microbiome Data Prize.
- Nominations will be considered for 3 years, providing that the nominee submits an updated CV each year.
- A nominator can nominate 1 nominee for per award being considered in the given award cycle.
- Each nominee can receive only 1 nomination for a given award.
- Only 1 nominator and 2 supporters are accepted per nomination. The 2 supporters must not be from the same employment unit (e.g., department, institution, center, company) as the nominee.
- Supporters do not need to submit a letter of support at the time the nomination is made. They will be contacted during the selection process only if the selection committee requires additional information about the nominee.
FAQs for Award Nominators and Supporters
Can I nominate more than 1 nominee?
You may nominate and/or support as many nominees as you would like for various ASM Awards in a given year. However, you may nominate and/or support only 1 nominee per individual award in any year.
I am listed as a supporter for 1 nominee for the (X) Award. Can I nominate another nominee for the (X) Award?
You cannot nominate more than 1 nominee per award in a given year. If you have nominated a nominee for the (X) Award, you should not serve as a supporter for any other nominee for that particular award. However, you may serve as a nominator or supporter for nominees for other awards.
I was approached by a colleague who asked me to be their nominator. Is this allowed?
Yes. Starting in 2021, individuals are encouraged to reach out to their colleagues to request a nomination.
A colleague at my department asked me to nominate them; can I be the nominator?
Yes, you can nominate a colleague from the same department. However, the 2 supporters must be from different departments or institutions than the nominee. For example, if the nominee is from the Department of Biology at XYZ University, you, as nominator, can be from the Department of Biology at XYZ University, but neither of the 2 supporters can be from the Department of Biology at XYZ University.
This is my first year submitting a nomination. What do I need to know?
Nominators hold the primary responsibility to coordinate with the nominee and supporters. Use the checklists to help you stay on track and submit your nomination in advance of the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Can I save my nomination online and return to complete it later?
Yes, you can.
I have decided I want to withdraw my nomination/support after further consideration. Can I do that?
Yes, withdrawal will be accepted at any time before July 1. Nominator and/or supporters can withdraw their nomination/support with or without reasons by notifying the ASM Awards Program at awards@asmusa.org. The nominee will not be contacted. Because of the impact of the decision on the nominee, we highly encourage careful consideration and discussion among the involved parties before notifying the ASM Awards Program.
Can I update my nomination from last year?
ASM keeps and considers nominations without updating for a period of 3 years, assuming the nominee still meets eligibility criteria and submits an updated CV each year. If you, as the nominator, would like to update any part of a previously submitted nomination form, please contact awards@asmusa.org for instructions on how to proceed.
I have been named as a "supporter" for an ASM Award nomination and/or ASM Prize application. Should I submit a letter of support to ASM?
Supporters for ASM Awards: Supporters for ASM Award nominations should not submit a letter or any documentation at the time the nomination is submitted. If the selection committee requires additional information about the nominee during the review process, a committee representative will contact the supporters to request letters of support for the nomination.
Supporters for ASM Microbiome Data Prize: Starting in 2024, the Microbiome Data Prize will allow nominations for the prize. Both nominations and applications will be accepted.
- For nominations of candidates for the ASM Microbiome Data Prize, letters of support are not required at the time the nomination is submitted. If the selection committee requires additional information about the nominee during the review process, a committee representative will contact the supporters to request letters of support for the nomination.
- For applications for the Microbiome Data Prize, 2 letters of support are required during the application process. Once the online application form is submitted, an automated message will be sent to supporters with instructions on how to submit their letters of support. The letters of support must be submitted by the application deadline date.
FAQs for Award Nominees
Can I nominate myself for an ASM Award?
Self-nomination is not allowed for ASM Awards, so you may not nominate yourself for an ASM Award. However, potential award nominees are encouraged to reach out and collaborate with a colleague to ask for their nomination and support.
Can I nominate myself for the Microbiome Data Prize?
Yes, the Microbiome Data Prize has an application track that does not require a nominator. Individuals interested in receiving the prize must apply for the prize themselves by completing and submitting an application form online.
Two of my colleagues want to nominate me for the X Award. They plan to submit 2 separate nominations for that award. Will that increase my chances of receiving the award?
No, if a nominee is nominated more than once for the same award, the nominee will be informed and asked to select which nomination they would like the selection committee to review. We suggest that nominees coordinate with nominator(s) to avoid duplicate nominations.
Do I need to be an ASM member to be eligible for an ASM Award?
Not all of the ASM Awards require ASM membership. A careful review of the award description is critical.
I am reluctant to reveal my demographic information. Why does ASM ask for the demographic information? How do I ensure my data is safe and does not work against me?
ASM is committed to advancing, elevating and embodying inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability. We request and review demographic data in order to measure progress in ensuring that historically underrepresented and excluded groups have access and receive nominations for awards. Your data will not be shared with any third party and will not be used in any part of the award decision-making process.
I was nominated for an ASM award a few years ago but did not get selected. Should I try again?
Absolutely. We encourage nominees who did not receive an award in the past to try again. Due to a variety of factors, a strong nominee might not be selected in any given year. Nominees will be evaluated using the same standards applied for that year for all nominees.
I work in industry. Am I eligible for an ASM Award?
Microbiologists in all sectors should be nominated and will be considered for the ASM Awards. Diversity in expertise and background are essential. Regardless of the sector in which one is working, contribution to the field of microbial sciences is the key to distinguish the nominees.
What should I do to make my nomination stand out?
- Spend time preparing your CV. Completeing the CV template is highly recommended. Make sure the pertinent information is clear and easily accessible to facilitate the review process.
- Communicate with your nominator and supporters to ensure they have the information they need.
- Remind the nominator to submit the materials before the deadline.