Nominations are closed for 2025
Career Stage
Experienced
Award Type
Union Medal
Of Note
Confers Union Fellowship;
Peer OR self-nomination permitted
Peer OR self-nomination permitted
Submission Window
3 January - 14 March
Established 1939
Recognizing Senior Career Scientists
AGU’s highest honor, the William Bowie Medal, is given annually to one honoree in recognition of outstanding contributions to fundamental Earth and space science and for unselfish cooperation in research. Unselfish cooperation is considered volunteer activity above and beyond any job requirements.
The medal was established in honor of William Bowie for his spirit of helpfulness and friendliness in unselfish cooperative research. In addition to serving as the first president of AGU (1920–1922), Bowie was also the first recipient of this medal.
Honor Benefits
Recipients receive the following:
- An engraved medal
- Induction into the AGU College of Fellows (if the honoree has been an AGU member for three consecutive years and is not already a Fellow with exceptions allowed in cases of financial hardship, determined through AGU definition)
- Recognition at AGU's annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
- Four hotel nights and two tickets to the Honors Banquet at AGU's annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
Criteria for a Successful Nomination
Nominees are evaluated on the following:
- Outstanding contributions to fundamental Earth and space science.
- Unselfish cooperation in research, which is considered volunteer activity above and beyond any job requirements.
Eligibility
Nominee
The nominee must be an experienced senior scientist who is an established leader in their field.
Nominators
Nominators/co-nominators must be active AGU members.
All Parties
Must be in compliance with AGU's conflict of interest and professional conduct policies.
Read AGU's Ethics Policies