Awards & Fellowships :: SETAC World Council Global Awards :: Founders

The Founders Award

The Founders Award is presented annually. It is the highest SETAC award and is given to an individual with an outstanding career in the environmental sciences. The individual will have made clearly identifiable contributions to the development of the science that are consistent with the goals of SETAC, which are:

• Promote research, education, communication, and training in the environmental sciences.
• Promote application of interdisciplinary environmental sciences in managing environmental stressors.
• Participate in scientific interpretation and communication of exposure to and effects of environmental stressors, ecological risk assessment/management, and solutions for global environmental problems.
• Provide forums for communication and interactions among professionals on a multi-sector, interdisciplinary, and multinational basis on environmental issues.
• Develop principles and practices for sustainable environments, considering appropriate ecological, economic, and social aspects.

Past Founders Award Winners

Eligibility:
Membership in SETAC is not a prerequisite for the Founders Award. Individuals with an acknowledged career in any aspect of the environmental sciences, such as research, technical or regulatory contributions, and who have contributed to the development of our understanding of the influence of human activity on the environment, are eligible for the Founders Award.

Nominations Process:
Applications are welcomed from individuals nominating themselves as well as applications submitted in support of a candidate other than themselves. Applications should be made in a letter outlining the eligibility of the nominee for the award. A curriculum vitae should be included, and supporting letter from three additional sponsors should explain why they believe the candidate should be considered for the award. Sufficient information should be provided to facilitate an objective evaluation of the candidate; details of both the qualities of the candidate and the candidate's activities in relation to the award description shown above are needed. The nominee or his/her nominator should provide evidence of the candidate's effectiveness in influence and outreach through either a science citation index review or other communication/media indicators (book sales, non-peer reviewed articles etc.)

Application Instructions:
Applications must be submitted electronically to the SETAC Office (setac@setac.org). The closing date for submission of nominations is 30 June 2008. Candidates should ensure that all emailed documentation is submitted together, either in a zipped file or in a pdf.

Selection Process:
Nominations will be evaluated independently by members of the SETAC World Council Global Awards Committee using a standardized score sheet in pdf or word. Candidates will be ranked, and the committee will then discuss the outcome to determine the recipient. If agreement is not reached by the committee, a resolution will be made by the SETAC World Council. The successful nominee will be made aware of the decision several months before the Annual Meeting. After the successful nominee is notified, unsuccessful candidates will also be informed.

Award Procedure:
The Founders Award will be presented at the SETAC North America 29th Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida, 16 - 20 November 2008. An appropriate certificate or plaque is given to the awardee at the time of presentation. The Society will pay for the travel and related expenses and will waive the registration fee of the recipient.

To Submit:
ALL applications must be submitted electronically to setac@setac.org. Applications submitted by MAIL or FAX will NOT be accepted. Completed application must arrive by 30 June 2008. Email applications to setac@setac.org.