Additional Awards
Please choose an award name on the right to view specific details and requirements.
The Theoretical Developments in Social Gerontology Symposium and Paper Award
The award carries a $2,000 cash prize, in hopes of encouraging this important and promising theoretical work in Social Gerontology. The award will be presented to the author(s) of the winning paper at a special Social Gerontology, BSS/SRPP symposium at the Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting.
Last Monday in September.
Requirements
- Applicants must be a member of GSA.
- Applicants must be willing to present their work at the Annual Scientific Meeting.
- Applicants must submit a one-page concept paper or a letter of intent by March 15th for consideration for a Symposium on Social Gerontology
- After review, invited applicants that submitted the best concept papers/letters of intent will be invited to participate in the symposium
- Select symposium participants will be invited to submit a final full-length paper submission on theoretical work for the award competition. The paper must:
- be original and not currently under review or copyrighted by a journal, book, or other form of publication.
- push the envelope of current conceptualization beyond a single disciplinary theoretical framework.
- be approximately 20 pages in length using APA style guidelines.
- be available for future publication in book or journal form.
In order to apply for The Theoretical Developments in Social Gerontology Paper Award, please send your one-page concept paper or letter of intent by March 15th to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a subject of "Theoretical Developments in Social Gerontology Paper Award" - YOUR NAME HERE." Please remember to substitute your name in the subject line. Those selected to submit full-length papers will submit the papers to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by the last Monday in September.
Previous winners' papers:
- Narrative Foreclosure in Later Life: Preliminary Considerations for a New Sensitizing Concept
- Awareness of Age-Related Change: Examination of a (Mostly) Unexplored Concept
- Aging and Cumulative Inequality: How Does Inequality Get Under the Skin?
- Life Course Patterns and Perceptions: A Theoretical Development of the Subjective Life Course
Gene D. Cohen Research Award in Creativity and Aging
The Gene D. Cohen Award, sponsored by the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA), recognizes and honors the seminal work of Dr. Gene Cohen, whose research in the field of creativity and aging has shifted the conceptual focus from a problem paradigm to one of promise and potential. Dr. Cohen has inspired us to approach longevity asking what wonders can be achieved, not in spite of age, but because of age. The award is presented annually to a professional whose research in the field of creativity and aging demonstrates these positive attributes.
Presented annually at the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting at the Arts and Humanities Reception, the award consists of the following:
- Travel and lodging (limit to $1,000) to attend the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting
- GSA Annual Scientific Meeting Registration
- A program profile included in GSA’s Annual Meeting Program, which will be distributed to attendees and posted on the GSA website.
- Recognition on the NCCA website
- Recognition by peers at an awards presentation
- Press release
Award nomination is open to any individual who has produced research that demonstrates the benefits of creativity in arts including but not limited to visual arts, music, dance, drama, writing and multi media. Nominees should demonstrate leadership and contributions in the field of creativity and aging through research.
Deadline for Nomination
May 1st
Requirements
- A formal nomination letter
- A brief statement (maximum 500 words) detailing how the nominee meets the criteria of the award
- Research Abstract
- Peer review articles or other related documents
- Up to 2 letters of support
In order to nominate someone for the Gene D. Cohen Award in Creativity and Aging, please send your nomination packet to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the subject of “Gene D. Cohen Award Nomination – NOMINEE NAME HERE.” Please remember to substitute your nominee’s name in the subject.
Task Force on Minority Issues Outstanding Mentorship Award
Submission Deadline
May 1st
Requirements
- Nominee must be a member of GSA.
- Recipient will be expected to attend the Annual Scientific Meeting to receive the award.
- A formal nomination letter that is no more than one (1) page.
- This letter should describe the contributions of the nominee to the individuals he/she has mentored.
- No more than three (3) letters of endorsement from individuals who have been mentored by the nominee.
- These letters should provide specific information regarding the contributions of the nominee to the individual mentored.
- A current Curriculum Vitae. Please include contact information.
Senior Service America Senior Scholar Award and Junior Scholar Award for Research Related to Disadvantaged Older Adults
Senior Service America, Inc. offers two awards for Research Related to Disadvantaged Older Adults: The Senior Scholar Award and The Junior Scholar Award. These awards acknowledge outstanding applied research that advances knowledge and understanding of the capabilities, contributions, challenges and concerns of disadvantaged older adults, especially those who are low-income and minority group members.
The award winner at the Senior Scholar level receives a $1,000 cash prize and the award winner at the Junior Scholar level receives a $500 cash prize. The winners will be presented with their awards at their respective GSA Section Business Meeting Luncheon.
Final Submission Deadline
Last Monday in September
Requirements
- Applicants must be a member of GSA and have an accepted abstract
- Applicants for the Senior Scholar Award must have 5 or more years of professional experience after receiving a terminal graduate degree (i.e., master’s degree or higher at the time of paper or poster submission)
- Applicants for the Junior Scholar Award must have no more than 5 years of professional experience after receiving a terminal graduate degree (i.e., master’s degree or higher at the time of paper or poster submission)
- Applicants must submit an article length manuscript or a complete poster PowerPoint with narrative notes in order to compete for the award
- The paper or poster PowerPoint must directly or indirectly provide new research relevant to disadvantaged older adults, including but not limited to their capabilities, contributions, physical and/or emotional well-being
- The research may include: basic biological studies, socio-economic factors and trends, applied research and program evaluation, or any other studies that expand our understanding of disadvantaged older adults, thereby promoting their interests and well-being
In order to apply for this award, please send your paper or poster to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with a subject of " Senior Service America Senior Scholar Award” - NOMINEE NAME HERE”, or " Senior Service America Junior Scholar Award” - NOMINEE NAME HERE”. Please remember to substitute your name in the subject line.
