Since 1971, the American Association of Suicidology has recognized individuals and organizations whose work has empowered communities, inspired hope, and prevented suicide. AAS is now accepting nominations for its 2027 Annual Awards and Citizen Scientist Awards, honoring excellence across research, service, and advocacy in the field of suicide prevention.

AAS Annual Awards

AAS Annual Award recipients will be recognized at the 60th Annual Conference (AAS27), taking place April 11–15, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Recipients receive a recognition award, complimentary conference registration (excluding pre-conference workshops), and one complimentary night at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Recipients of the Louis I. Dublin Award and the Edwin S. Shneidman Award will also be invited to present at the conference.

Research

• Louis I. Dublin Award: A lifetime achievement award recognizing exceptional leadership, devotion, and creativity in advancing suicide prevention.
  
• Edwin S. Shneidman Award: Honors an individual under forty, or within ten years of their highest degree, who has made significant contributions to suicidology research.
  
• Morton M. Silverman Student Award: Recognizes a full-time student or trainee who has authored a paper directly related to suicidology and demonstrated academic excellence.

Service

• Roger J. Tierney Service Award: Honors distinguished service advancing the mission, principles, and growth of AAS, or applied contributions to suicidology and crisis intervention.
  
• Transforming Lived Experience Award: Recognizes an individual who has survived their own suicidal experiences and transformed that experience into impactful prevention, intervention, advocacy, or recovery work.
  
• Loss Survivor Award: Acknowledges a suicide loss survivor who has transformed personal loss into meaningful prevention, intervention, or postvention advocacy.

Accredited Services

• Crisis Provider Excellence Award: Recognizes an accredited service for excellence and dedication to crisis response and/or suicide prevention.
  
• Crisis Innovation Award: Recognizes a nonprofit entity, program, training, or event that has significantly advanced the professionalization of crisis services.
  
• Suicide Prevention Program Award: Recognizes an accredited helpline, warmline, or chat/text service for excellence in service delivery.

Nominees must be accredited by the American Association of Suicidology.

Citizen Scientist Awards

The Citizen Scientist Awards recognize individuals who combine research excellence with civic engagement, extending their impact beyond formal academic or professional responsibilities. Activities performed solely as coursework or professional assignments do not meet the criteria.

• Student Award: For a graduate student who demonstrates a dual commitment to research productivity and civic engagement, evaluated across their full graduate career. Includes a $250 award and recognition on suicidology.org, in an AAS newsletter, and in a national press release.
  
• Professional Award: For a professional who has demonstrated exceptional mentorship, fostering research excellence and civic mindedness in students over the past five years. Includes the same award and recognition.

How to Nominate

For Research, Service, and Accredited Services awards, review the eligibility criteria for the relevant category, complete the electronic nomination form with the nominee’s name, phone number, and email address, and submit a brief narrative outlining their qualifications and contributions. Citizen Scientist nominations require a letter of recommendation instead.

Current AAS Board Members are not eligible to receive awards during their tenure. Award recipients will be notified by email and must confirm their attendance at AAS27 by January 15, 2027.

Deadlines

• AAS Annual Award nominations close November 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
• Citizen Scientist Award nominations close October 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST

Questions can be directed to Robert Coffey, Senior Programs Manager, at rcoffey@suicidology.org.