AFS offers awards to its members and partners for unique contributions that directly or indirectly impact fisheries science. Each year there is a call for award nominations recognizing professional excellence and/or outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and service. An overview of each award is included below; additional details and past recipients of each award are listed on the linked pages.
The American Fisheries Society (AFS) is currently seeking nominations and applications for its 2026 awards. Award recipients will be honored at the 156th Annual Meeting to be held in Columbus, Ohio, from August 30-September 3, 2026.
Award submissions should be submitted online at https://afsawards.awardsplatform.com/ and follow the following guidelines unless otherwise noted.
Nominations typically require a candidate’s name, full contact information, biographical information, and qualifications for the award and/or history of service to the Society. The nomination package should include a cover/nomination letter that describes the nominee’s qualifications and any relevant projects; letter should include the title and contact information for both the nominator and the nominee. Cover letters should be limited to two pages.
Up to three supporting documents will be accepted for each nomination. Supporting documents may include a current CV (up to 4 pages) and additional supporting letters (up to 2 pages). For more information on each award, see the corresponding award page or contact the award category chair.
The Awards Committee is dedicated to AFS goal of increasing diversity and inclusion within our Society. As part of this effort, we highly encourage nominations for individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the fisheries field.
Awards of Merit
- Award of Excellence – The Society’s highest award for scientific achievement is presented to a living AFS member for original and/or outstanding contributions to fisheries and aquatic biology.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Debra Murie
- The Emmeline Moore Prize – The American Fisheries Society (AFS) has established a career achievement award, named after the first female AFS president, Emmeline Moore (1927-1928), to recognize efforts of an individual member in the promotion of demographic diversity in the society.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Lisa Holst
- Excellence in Fisheries Education Award – Presented to an individual to recognize excellence in organized teaching and advising in some aspect of fisheries education. This Award is administered by the AFS Education Section.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Mark Kaemingk
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Mark Kaemingk
- Excellence in Public Outreach – Presented to an AFS member who goes the “extra mile” in sharing the value of fisheries science/research with the general public through the popular media and other communication channels. This Award is administered by the AFS Science Communications Section.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Kamden Glade
- Fellows Program– AFS designates as Fellows of the Society certain members who have made outstanding or meritorious contributions to the diversity of fields that are included in the American Fisheries Society. Contributions can include, but are not restricted to, efforts in leadership, research, teaching and mentoring, resource management and/or conservation, and outreach/interaction with the public.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Leanne Roulson
- Publication Awards– Recognizing the best papers published in each of the five AFS journals during the previous calendar year.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Allison Pease
- Student Writing Contest – Presented to a graduate or undergraduate student who submits an outstanding short report about their original research that combines scientifically-sound writing with an appeal to a general audience.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Marty Hamel
Awards for Service to the Society
- Doug Austen Meritorious Service Award – Presented annually to an individual AFS member for loyalty, dedication, and meritorious service to the Society over a long period of time and for exceptional commitment to the programs, objectives, and long-term goals of the Society.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: TBD
- Distinguished Service Award – Recognizes outstanding contributions of time and energy for special projects or activities by AFS members.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Margaret Murphy
- Outstanding Chapter Award – Recognizes outstanding professionalism, active resource protection, and enhancement programs, as well as a strong commitment to the mission of the Society. One award is given to a small chapter (fewer than 100 members) and one to a large chapter (100+ members).
- Outstanding Student Subunit Award – Recognizes outstanding professionalism, active resource protection, and enhancement programs, as well as a strong commitment to the mission of the Society. One award is given to a student subunit.
Nomination deadline for all chapter awards: April 1, 2026
Contact: AFS Division Past Presidents
- Honorary Membership – Presented to individuals who have achieved outstanding professional accomplishments or have given outstanding service to the Society.
Conservation Awards
- Fisheries Conservation Awards – Updated for 2026 – Presented to honor individuals, groups, organizations, or other entities for outstanding contributions to the conservation of aquatic resources. The Awards Committee has adopted a common application for AFS’s three conservation awards: the Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award, the President’s Fishery Conservation Award, and the William E. Ricker Resource Conservation Award. All conservation award applications will be reviewed by the Past Presidents’ Advisory Council.
Additional details for the Sullivan, President’s Fishery Conservation, and Ricker Awards can be found below:
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Cecil Jennings; Miguel Garcia
- Stanley A. Moberly Award for Outstanding Contributions in Fish Habitat Conservation – Presented to individuals who has achieved significant success in a fish habitat career.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Gary Whelan
Scholarships & Fellowships
- Emerging Leaders Mentorship Award – The AFS Emerging Leaders Mentorship Award Program was established to develop future leaders of the Society, and the fisheries profession as a whole, by providing selected candidates an opportunity to participate for one year in activities of the AFS Governing Board.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Drew Holloway or Patrick Cooney
- J. Frances Allen Scholarship Award – The scholarship fund was established with the intent of encouraging women to become fisheries professionals. The qualified applicant must be a female Ph.D. student conducting aquatic research in line with AFS objectives and be an AFS member as of December 31, 2025. This Award is administered by the AFS Equal Opportunities Section.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: Equal Opportunities Section
- The Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship – The fellowship comprises a competitively based $15,000 award to a graduate student actively engaged in thesis research relevant to marine conservation; a focus on fisheries issues is not required. This Award is administered by the AFS Marine Fisheries Section.
Nomination deadline: February 1, 2026
Contact: Susan Sogard
Travel Awards
- The John E. Skinner Memorial Fund – The fund provides monetary travel awards for deserving graduate students or exceptional undergraduate students to attend the AFS annual meeting. Any student who is active in fisheries or related aquatic disciplines is eligible to apply. This Award is administered by the AFS Education Section.
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026
Contact: John Hargrove
- Retired Members Travel Award – This travel award was established to encourage and enable retired members of the Society to attend Annual Meetings, particularly those members who might play a more active role in the meeting.
Many AFS Sections offer additional award programs and travel funding. Refer to each Section’s webpage for additional information, requirements, and deadlines.
Recent Section Award Recipients, informal certificates of appreciation for service, and other awards are given each year as well.
