This award was established in 1990 by the Reactor Physics Division to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the field of reactor physics. The award is named after the late Eugene P. Wigner, a pioneer who helped nurture the nuclear age to technical maturity. The award is administered by the Reactor Physics Division. When possible, one such award will be made each year following procedures established by the RPD. The honoree will be presented with an engraved plaque at a special ceremony organized by the RPD during the Winter Meeting of the Society.
Nominations are made on a standard form available by clicking on the link above. Three sponsors are required, one of which must be an ANS Fellow. One sponsor shall be designated as the principal sponsor. The principal sponsor has the responsibility of (a) securing the required letters of recommendation from the other two co-sponsors, (b) assembling the nomination package and (c) submitting it to ANS headquarters along with his or her own recommendation of the nominee by the deadline indicated in the call for nominations announcement. Sponsors of a given candidate should be dispersed geographically, and only one may be from the home institution of the candidate.
Evidence of the candidate's contributions shall be submitted in the form of written recommendations from the sponsors and others as appropriate, specifying the candidate's outstanding accomplishments and contributions that have benefitted the field of nuclear reactor physics to the degree meriting consideration for the Eugene P. Wigner Reactor Physicist Award. The selection of the Eugene P. Wigner Reactor Physicist Award is determined by critical review and assessment of submitted credentials and qualifications; hence, due care should be exercised in preparation of the nomination package. In the process of review and selection, emphasis is placed on excellence of achievement in the field of nuclear reactor physics as evidenced by (a) outstanding original research, documented in refereed scientific journals or major publications and by (b) outstanding leadership in reactor physics.
The nominee must be living at the time of submittal but in certain exceptional cases a posthumous award could be made. A curriculum vitae along with a bibliography of major publications including documentation of participation in symposia and conferences may be attached.