Stuart Jay Freedman Award in Experimental Nuclear Physics

This award is presented annually to an outstanding early career experimentalist in nuclear physics. The award will consist of an $5,000, a certificate, a registration waiver, and an allowance for travel to the Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics (DNP) to give an invited prize talk and receive the award. 

About Stuart J. Freedman

Stuart J. Freedman was a distinguished experimental nuclear physicist, member of the National Academy of Sciences, and recipient of the Bonner Prize in Nuclear Physics, and had a singular role in educating and mentoring graduate students and post-docs.

Stuart inspired students and post-docs in experimental nuclear physics through his accomplishments, his approach to science, and his commitment to the scientific development of those whom he mentored. A detailed account of his achievements can be found at the In Memoriam: Stuart Freedman, Renowned Nuclear Physicist page. Highlights include the first test of Bell’s inequality, carried out with John Clauser, demonstrating consistency with the predictions of quantum mechanics while ruling out those of hidden variable theories.

Establishment & Support

This award was established in 2016 by the American Physical Society’s Division of Nuclear Physics (DNP) to recognize Dr. Freedman’s legacy as a mentor to early career physicists. Thanks to the generosity of his family, friends, and the DNP community, the Award was fully endowed in 2019 and increased in 2022.

Rules & Eligibility

Nominations are open to experimental nuclear physicists who are within seven years of their Ph.D. (at the time of the submission deadline for the nomination, excluding career interruptions defined as a major life event requiring an extended absence of 3 months or longer from the workplace, including but not limited to active military service, an absence due to personal disability, or an absence covered by the Family Medical Leave Act). The prize shall normally be awarded to one person. Nominations will be considered for two review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

Nomination & Selection Process

Deadline: Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The nomination package must include:

  • a letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the qualifications of the nominee(s),
  • a CV or biographical sketch,
  • a list of the most important publications,
  • at least two, but not more than four, seconding letters,
  • and up to five reprints or preprints.

Please see the Prize & Award Nomination Guidelines for more information. 

2023 Selection Committee Members: Rebecca Surman (Chair), Or Hen, Lijuan Ruan, Brian Fujikawa, Danielle Speller, Rosi Reed, Ania Kwiatkowski

The membership of APS is diverse and global, and the nominees and recipients of APS Honors should reflect that diversity so that all are recognized for their impact on our community. Nominations of members belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in physics, such as women, LGBT+ scientists, scientists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), disabled scientists, scientists from institutions with limited resources, and scientists from outside the United States, are especially encouraged.

Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.

2023 Recipient

Elise Novitski
University of Washington


Past Recipients

2022: Ronald Fernando Garcia Ruiz
2021: Danielle H. Speller
2020: Marta Verweij
2019: Or Hen
2018: Ania Kwiatkowski