• AWARDS

AChemS Annual Awards


AChemS offers a number of awards that recognize the accomplishments of our members at several stages of their careers and that support the participation of students and postdocs. AChemS relies on its membership to identify those who are particularly deserving of recognition. Please nominate a deserving candidate for one of the awards listed below. Click on each award title to learn more about eligibility requirements, deadlines, and further required documentation. Please contact the Executive Office at 847-503-0665 or [email protected] with any questions.

To see past award winners, click here.

Awards for Students

The following awards are granted to AChemS members who are graduate or undergraduate students. These awards are self-nominated. Click on the name of each award for additional details on eligibility requirements.


Lena Terlau
2023 AChemS Award for Undergraduate Research Awardee

The ACHEMS TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS FOR DIVERSITY cover the cost of travel, meals, lodging, and registration for under-represented individuals interested in the chemical senses.

The ACHEMS AWARD FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH recognizes an outstanding presentation made by an undergraduate student at the AChemS Annual Meeting.

The DON TUCKER MEMORIAL AWARD for Graduate Student Research recognizes an outstanding presentation made by a graduate student at the AChemS Annual Meeting.

Awards for Postdoctoral/Young Investigators


2023 Polak Young Investigator Awardees
The following awards are granted to AChemS members who have received their doctoral degree 10 or fewer years prior to the year of the award. These awards are self-nominated. Click on the name of each award for additional details on eligibility requirements.

The POLAK YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD recognizes 5-6 young investigators within 10 years of their doctoral degree based upon the scientific merit of their abstract submission to the AChemS Annual Meeting. 

Awards for Mid-Career Investigators

The following awards are granted to members of AChemS who received their doctoral degree 15 or fewer years prior to the year of the award. Click on the name of each award for additional details on eligibility requirements and how to nominate candidates for these prestigious awards.


Richard Gerkin, PhD
2023 IFF Awardee

The ACHEMS YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARDfor Research in Olfaction or Nasal Chemosensation is awarded to an outstanding junior scientist whose research record should provide evidence of excellence and contributions that have had or are likely to have a major impact on research in the field of olfaction. 

The IFF AWARD for Research in the Psychophysics of Human Taste and Smell is awarded to an outstanding junior scientist whose research record provides evidence of excellence and the promise to emerge as a leader in the field.

The AJINOMOTO AWARD for Young Investigators in Gustation or Oral Chemosensation is awarded to an outstanding junior scientist whose research record provides evidence of excellence and contributions that have had or are likely to have a major impact on research in the field of gustation.

Awards for Senior Investigators


Alan C. Spector, PhD
2023 Max Mozell Awardee

The MAX MOZELL AWARD for Outstanding Achievement in the Chemical Senses is intended to recognize the accomplishments of a senior scientist working in the chemical senses. The research record should provide evidence of excellence and contributions that have a major impact on research in the chemical senses.

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