Henry Primakoff Award for Early-Career Particle Physics
To recognize outstanding contributions made by early-career physicists and helps promote the careers of exceptionally promising physicists. The prize is given annually and will consist of $5,000 and a certificate citing the contributions of the recipient, plus an allowance for travel to an APS meeting to receive the award and deliver an invited lecture.
Rules and eligibility
This award recognizes outstanding elementary particle physics research performed by a physicist who must have obtained their Ph.D. within seven years of the current nomination deadline, plus any career breaks. The research recognized could either be a single piece of work, or the sum of contributions.
Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline and all other eligibility criteria are still met.
Process and selection
The nomination must include:
- A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the qualifications of the nominee(s).
In addition, the nomination should include:
- A biographical sketch, including date of Ph.D.
- A list of the most important publications.
- At least two, but not more than four, seconding letters.
- Up to five reprints and preprints.
Selection Committee
- Roni Harnik
- Christopher Hill
- Elena Pinetti
- Steve Kettell
- Gustaaf Brooijmans
Establishment and support
Established in 2011 by the Division of Particles and Fields, the award was endowed by the Henry Primakoff Lecture Fund and supported by friends and family of Henry Primakoff.
Recent recipients
Elena Pinetti
2026 recipient
For original ideas and innovative research in the study of particle dark matter, compact astrophysical objects, high energy astrophysical sources, and cosmic radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Kevin J. Kelly
2025 recipient
For significant contributions to our understanding of the neutrino sector and proposing novel directions and search strategies, bolstering the physics output of current and future neutrino experiments.
Javier Mauricio Duarte
2024 recipient
For accelerating trigger technologies in experimental particle physics with novel real-time approaches by embedding artificial intelligence and machine learning in programmable gate arrays, and for critical advances in Higgs physics studies at the Large Hadron Collider in all-hadronic final states.
Bernhard Mistlberger
2023 recipient
For groundbreaking contributions to high-precision quantum field theory, including the next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order QCD corrections to the production of Higgs and electroweak vector bosons at hadron colliders.
Benjamin Nachman
2022 recipient
For innovative contributions to the search for new physics in collider data incorporating original machine learning algorithms, and for the effective communication of these new techniques to the broader physics community.
APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.
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 Standards. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.
Henry Primakoff Award for Early-Career Particle Physics
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As approved by the Council of Representatives on April 10, 2025.
APS honors exceptional contributions to the physics community, including travel support for students and early career physicists.