The Donald P. Kent Award is given annually to a member of The Gerontological Society of America who best exemplifies the highest standards for professional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and interpretation of gerontology to the larger society. The award was created in 1973 in memory of Donald P. Kent for his outstanding leadership in translating research findings into practical use.

The winner of the Kent Award presents a lecture at the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting the following year. The Kent Award Lecture is one of the highlights of the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting.

Deadline
May 1st
Requirements

• Must be a Fellow of the Society (GSA).
• Formal nomination letter.
• A current Curriculum Vitae.
• No more than five (5) letters of endorsements.endorsements.

In order to nominate someone for the Donald P. Kent Award, please send your nomination packet to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a subject of "Kent Award Nomination - NOMINEE NAME HERE." Please remember to substitute your nominee's name in the subject.

"Seizing Interdisciplinary Opportunities in the Changing Landscape of Health and Aging: A Social Work Perspective," by Barbara Berkman, is a revision of the Kent Award Lecture given at the Annual Meeting of The Gerontological Society of America held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in November 2010.

Click here to view the PowerPoint slide presentation from Scott Bass' 2012 Kent Award lecture, "The State of Gerontology - Opus One."

The Robert W. Kleemeier Award is given annually to a member of The Gerontological Society of America in recognition for outstanding research in the field of gerontology. The award, created in 1965, is in memory of a former president of the Society whose contributions to the quality of life through research in aging were exemplary.

The winner of the Kleemeier Award presents a lecture at the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting the following year. The Kleemeier Award Lecture is one of the highlights of the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting.

Deadline
May 1st
Requirements

• Must be a Fellow of the Society (GSA).
• Formal nomination letter.
• A current Curriculum Vitae.
• No more than five (5) letters of endorsements.

In order to nominate someone for the Robert W. Kleemeier Award, please send your nomination packet to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a subject of "Kleemeier Award Nomination - NOMINEE NAME HERE." Please remember to substitute your nominee's name in the subject.

The M. Powell Lawton Award, sponsored by The Polisher Research Institute of the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life, recognizes outstanding contributions from applied gerontological research that have benefited older people and their care. The award was established to honor the memory of the late M. Powell Lawton, PhD, director emeritus of the Polisher Research Institute and a leading figure in aging research. 

The award is presented at the GSA's Annual Scientific Meeting to an individual who exemplifies Dr. Lawton's personal and professional qualities, and whose contributions in gerontology have led to innovations in gerontological treatment, practice or service, prevention, or amelioration of symptoms or barriers. Individuals who have influenced public policy changes or demonstrated leadership in defining and implementing a creative program that led to improvement in the lives of older persons are also eligible.

The awardee receives a $2,500 cash prize and certificate, and presents a lecture at the GSA's Annual Scientific Meeting the following year.  In addition, if the awardee has no support for attending the meeting, up to $1,000 can be made available for travel and per diem expenses.

Nominations of candidates in the early or mid stages of their careeers are encouraged.

Nominations should be responsive to the following guidelines:

• Description and documentation of the nominee's contribution, including originality and creativity.
• Demonstration of the innovation's positive impact over a sustained period.
• Evidence of replication by others or dissemination.
• The significance of the contribution in improving the lives of older persons.
• An explanation of how the candidate exemplifies the qualities of the late M. Powell Lawton, including evidence of leadership, commitment to mentorship, humility, and respect.

Deadline
May 1st
Requirements

• The nominator must be a member of GSA, however nominees can be nonmembers.
• Formal nomination letter.
• A current Curriculum Vitae.
• Two letters of endorsement.

Nomination packets must be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a subject of "Lawton Award Nomination - NOMINEE NAME HERE." Please remember to substitute your nominee's name in the subject.

"Aging Well and the Environment: Toward an Integrative Model and Research Agenda for the Future," by Hans-Werner Wahl, Susanne Iwarsson, and Frank Oswald, is a revision of the M. Powell Lawton Award Lecture delivered at the Annual Meeting of The Gerontological Society of America held in in New Orleans, Louisiana, in November 2010.

The Maxwell A. Pollack Award for Productive Aging recognizes instances of practice informed by research and analysis, research that directly improved policy or practice, and distinction in bridging the worlds of research and practice. An individual who is mid-career and actively engaged in the conception and development of innovative programs that demonstrate excellence in translating research into practical application or policy is eligible for this award. The individual should be visionary in his/her approach to meeting current and critical needs of an older population in new and creative ways.

The award is presented at the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting. The awardee will also be expected to give a presentation about the program for which the award was received. The award includes cash, certificate and a symbolic emblem totaling $8,000. Travel expenses to defray airfare and one day per diem will be reimbursed for the awardee not to exceed $750. Airfare will be calculated at the supersaver economy rate and hotel at the GSA convention rate. This award is funded by the New York Community Trust through a generous gift from Maxwell A. Pollack Fund.

Deadline
May 1st
Requirements

• Must be nominated by, or the nomination must be supported by a member of GSA.
• Formal Nomination Letter should include the following 2 sections:
  • Major accomplishment of candidate in bridging the worlds of research with policy and/or practice (100 words or less).
  • Proposer's Statement of past and potential contribution to aging and gerontology (500 words or less), with a detailed description of the specific example(s) of bridging practice and research including:
    • The policy or practice change that occurred and why the contribution is significant.
    • The research upon which the policy or practice change is based.
    • The significant contributions of the research to this policy and/or practice.
    • The potential impact of this change on the lives of older people.
    • The broader impact or potential for replication.
• A current Curriculum Vitae
• A minimum of two (2) letters of endorsement in addition to the Formal Nomination Letter, not to exceed 250 words each, that provide examples of contributions not described in the formal nomination letter

In order to nominate someone for the Maxwell A. Pollack Award, please send your nomination packet to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a subject of "Pollack Award Nomination - NOMINEE NAME HERE." Please remember to substitute your nominee's name in the subject.

The Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation Award in Behavioral and Social Gerontology acknowledges outstanding early career contributions in behavioral and social gerontology.

The award will be given to a person from any discipline in the social sciences. Eligible nominees must have the Ph.D. degree and must not be more than 10 years past the date the Ph.D. was awarded. Nominations are not restricted to GSA members. International participation is encouraged. Nominations made by others or self-nominations will be accepted.

The award recipient will receive a plaque and a $1,000 cash award and is invited to present a lecture at the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting the following year.

Abstract Submission Deadline
May 1st
Requirements

• Formal Nomination Letter.
  • Detail the research of nominee and present a case for its impact and contribution.
• A current Curriculum Vitae.
• Up to three (3) letters of endorsement.
• Nominee must have a PH.D.
  • Ph.D. must have been awarded in past 10 years.

This award, presented by the Health Sciences section is given to a member of the Society in recognition of outstanding and sustained contribution to geriatric nursing research. The person selected will present a special lecture at the nursing special interest group meeting during the Annual Meeting of GSA, and will receive a $300 cash prize.

Deadline
May 1st
Requirements

• Must be a member of the Society.
• A current Curriculum Vitae.
• A one-page statement of the nominee's impact.
• An additional statement of significance of contribution to improving the lives of older persons.

In order to nominate someone for the Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award, please send your nomination packet to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a subject of "Schwartz Award Nomination - NOMINEE NAME HERE." Please remember to substitute your nominee's name in the subject.