Recognizing Excellence in Our Community

David G. Rognlie Award

Recognizes an exceptional discovery or technical development of particularly high impact in any area of structural science. The award reflects the generosity, optimism, and broad scientific interests of David “Dave” Rognlie and honors a specific advance rather than lifetime achievement.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2027

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2028

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2029

Eligibility: Open to scientists at any career stage, without restriction based on age, gender, ethnicity, or race.

Honorarium: $3,000 cash award plus up to $1,500 in travel expenses to attend the ACA Annual Meeting and present a lecture. Awarded every three years.

A.L. Patterson Award

Honors outstanding research on the structure of matter using diffraction methods, including major methodological advances, innovative applications, or new structural insights across the physical, chemical, geological, or biological sciences.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2027

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2028

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2029

Eligibility: Open to researchers making significant contributions through diffraction-based structure determination.

Honorarium: $1,500 cash award plus up to $1,500 in travel expenses and a certificate. Awarded every three years.

Elizabeth A. Wood Science Writing Award

Recognizes excellence in communicating science to a broad audience through books, articles, exhibits, or other creative works. Named in honor of Elizabeth A. Wood, former ACA President and acclaimed science writer.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2025

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2026

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2027

Eligibility: Open to authors, educators, or communicators; nominees need not be crystallographers or scientists.

Honorarium: $1,500 cash award plus up to $1,500 in travel expenses to attend the ACA Annual Meeting. Awarded every three years.

*The Elizabeth A. Wood Science Writing Award has been postponed to align with the IUCr Congress in Calgary, Canada. Nominations will reopen in 2026, after which the award will return to its regular cycle alongside the Rognlie, Patterson, and Etter awards.

Margaret C. Etter Early Career Award

Celebrates outstanding achievement and exceptional promise by an early-career scientist in crystallographic research. Established in honor of Margaret C. Etter, a pioneer in organic solid-state chemistry and crystallographic education.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2025

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2026

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2027

Eligibility: Scientists within 12 years of earning their Ph.D. (excluding career breaks) who have begun an independent position within the past 10 years and have not yet received tenure (if tenure-track). Self-nominations permitted.

Honorarium: $1,000 cash award and a plaque. Awarded annually; recipient presents a lecture at the ACA Annual Meeting.

Bertram Eugene Warren Diffraction Physics Award

Recognizes an important recent contribution to the physics of solids or liquids using X-ray, neutron, or electron diffraction techniques. Eligible work must have been published within six years of nomination.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2025

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2026

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2027

Eligibility: Open to scientists whose recent work has significantly advanced diffraction physics.

Honorarium: $1,500 cash award plus up to $1,500 in travel expenses and a certificate. Awarded every three years.

M.J. Buerger Award

Honors mature scientists who have made contributions of exceptional distinction in areas of interest to the ACA. Named for Martin J. Buerger, a foundational figure in crystallography.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2025

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2026

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2027

Eligibility: Open to scientists worldwide with no restrictions on nationality, race, sex, religion, or ACA membership.

Honorarium: $1,500 cash award plus up to $1,500 in travel expenses. Awarded every three years.

Bau Neutron Diffraction Award

Recognizes exceptional research achievement in neutron diffraction, honoring the legacy of Professor Robert Bau for his contributions to chemical and biomacromolecular crystallography.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2026

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2027

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2028

Eligibility: Open to scientists whose work has significantly advanced neutron diffraction methods or applications.

Honorarium: $1,500 cash award plus up to $1,500 in travel expenses to attend the ACA Annual Meeting and deliver an award lecture. Awarded every three years.

Fankuchen Memorial Award

Honors crystallographers who have made significant research contributions and are widely recognized as effective teachers of crystallography. Named in memory of Isidor Fankuchen.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2026

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2027

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2028

Eligibility: Open to scientists worldwide with demonstrated excellence in both research and education.

Honorarium: $2,500 cash award plus up to $2,500 in travel expenses. Awarded every three years.

Kenneth N. Trueblood Award

Recognizes exceptional achievement in computational or chemical crystallography, honoring Kenneth N. Trueblood’s pioneering role in crystallographic computing and software development.

Call for Nominations: Fall 2026

Deadline to Submit Nomination: April 1, 2027

Presentation of Award: Annual Meeting 2028

Eligibility: Open to scientists whose work has significantly advanced computational or chemical crystallography.

Honorarium: $1,500 cash award plus up to $1,500 in travel expenses. Awarded every three years.

Public Service Award

The ACA Public Service Award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of crystallography through sustained service to the broader scientific community and the public. The award honors exceptional efforts beyond traditional research achievements, including leadership in education and outreach, service to professional societies, advocacy for science, mentorship, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and activities that enhance public understanding and appreciation of crystallography. Recipients demonstrate a long-standing commitment to service that strengthens the crystallographic community, supports future generations of scientists, and promotes the societal impact of crystallographic science, reflecting the values of the ACA and exemplifying the role of scientists as engaged and responsible members of the global community.

Nominations may be submitted at any time and will be held for consideration during the next award review cycle; nominations will be considered for this award only once.

Association Service Award

This award celebrates the dedicated volunteer service of ACA members who contribute significantly to the work of the Association, often in ways that are not always visible. Eligible contributions include exceptional service on ACA committees or Scientific Interest Groups, along with other volunteer efforts that provide meaningful benefit to ACA members. Service performed in highly visible leadership roles—such as Annual Meeting Program or Local Chairs, or ACA Council members—is excluded from consideration. The award includes a certificate and a small gift.

Nominations may be submitted at any time and will be held for consideration during the next award review cycle; nominations will be considered for this award only once.