Honors & Awards

Honorary Member is bestowed upon persons who have distinguished themselves by their service and devotion to the science and profession of petroleum geology and to the Association. It is customary, but not mandatory, to make one or more awards each year.

The Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Award is given in recognition of outstanding and exceptional leadership in the petroleum geosciences. It is AAPG’s most distinguished leadership award. No more than one award is to be given per year.

Recipient must be a member of AAPG; must be living at the time of selection; currently engaged in exploration and willing to be present to accept the award, usually at the Annual Convention. Discovery may have occurred at any time in the nominee’s career, but the intended emphasis is on relatively recent discoveries (within the past 15 years). Only one award per year.

The Robert R. Berg Outstanding Research Award is given in recognition of a singular achievement in petroleum geoscience research. It is ranked beneath Norman H. Foster Outstanding Explorer Award and above the Distinguished Service Award. Up to two awards can be given in any calendar year.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to members who have distinguished themselves in singular and beneficial long-term service to AAPG.

The Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award is given in recognition of distinguished and outstanding contributions to geological education. Only one award is to be given per year unless funding is approved by the Executive Committee when the award slate is approved. Contributions leading to consideration for this award will most often involve the teaching and counseling of students at the university level, and contributions to the education of the public, and management of educational programs may also be recognized.

The Harrison Schmitt Award recognizes individuals or organizations that, for a variety of reasons, do not qualify for other Association honors or awards. The recipient is not required to be an AAPG member.

The Public Service Award is given to recognize contributions by members of the Association to public affairs and to encourage geologists to take a more active part in such affairs. Granting of this award in any year is discretionary.

The Pioneer Award is given to long-standing members who have contributed to the Association and who have made meaningful and significant contributions to the science of geology and have not received other awards but are deserving of recognition.

The Geosciences in the Media Award is given to a person in recognition of notable journalistic achievement in any medium which contributes to public understanding of geology, energy resources, or the technology of oil and gas exploration. Granting of this award in any year is discretionary.

Young Professionals Exemplary Service Award is given to members who have promoted growth, awareness, and expanded opportunities within the organization for young professionals. The award will help recognize the importance of AAPG volunteers dedicating themselves to helping inspire, retain and recruit future geoscientists within the Association as well as to the organization and profession in general.

The Vlastimila (Vlasta) Dvořáková International Ambassador Service Award is given to those who have promoted growth and awareness of the AAPG internationally and created opportunities for the Association to reach a wider audience of geoscientists. This award will help recognize the importance of AAPG volunteers who promote the mission of services and products of the Association, who foster cooperation with other geoscience organizations, as well as growing the organization and its cultural and ethnical diversity.