Annual Awards
The American Association of Suicidology recognizes outstanding contributions to suicide prevention, intervention, research, and advocacy through its Annual Awards program. Since 1971, AAS has honored hundreds of individuals and organizations whose innovation, leadership, and lived experience have advanced the field and strengthened communities.
Presented each year at the AAS Annual Conference, these awards celebrate excellence across research, crisis services, survivor support, civic engagement, and professional service.
Please check back for 2027 submission details.
Questions? Email communications@suicidology.org.
Award Categories
Crisis Center Excellence Award
Recognizes a crisis center that has demonstrated outstanding service in extraordinary circumstances or developed innovative and creative responses to community crises.
Edwin S. Shneidman Award
Honors an individual under forty years of age, or within ten years of their highest degree earned, who has made significant contributions to suicidology research.
Loss Survivor Award
Acknowledges a suicide loss survivor who has transformed personal loss into meaningful suicide prevention, intervention, or postvention advocacy.
Louis I. Dublin Award
A lifetime achievement award recognizing exceptional leadership, devotion, and creativity in advancing suicide prevention.
Morton M. Silverman Student Award
Recognizes a full-time student or trainee pursuing a degree who has authored a paper directly related to suicidology and demonstrated academic excellence.
Roger J. Tierney Service Award
Honors distinguished service advancing the mission, principles, and growth of AAS and/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 lived experience into impactful suicide prevention, intervention, advocacy, or recovery work.
Citizen Scientist Awards
Student Award
Recognizes a graduate student who demonstrates excellence in both research productivity and civic engagement over the course of their graduate training. Evaluation considers the student’s full graduate career rather than a single academic year.
Professional Award
Recognizes a professional who has demonstrated exceptional mentorship by fostering both research excellence and civic-mindedness among students. Evaluation focuses on the achievements of students mentored over the past five years.
Nomination Process
To submit a nomination:
- Review the eligibility criteria for each award.
- Complete the electronic awards submission form.
- Provide the nominee’s name, phone number, and email address (self-nominations are permitted).
- Submit a brief narrative outlining the nominee’s qualifications, accomplishments, and contributions.
Award recipients will be notified via email and must confirm attendance at the AAS Annual Conference. If unable to attend in person, recipients may submit a brief video message for presentation during the Robert I. Yufit Family Awards Presentation and Luncheon.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements vary by award category. Current AAS Board Members are not eligible to receive awards during their tenure.