Awards

Descriptions & Criteria

Warfighter Medical Research Public Communication Award
- This award is presented to recognize an individual who has made a major contribution to broadening the general public’s awareness of Department of Defense-sponsored Warfighter-related medical scientific research through any aspect of public communications. Entries are judged on scientific accuracy, initiative, originality, clarity of interpretation and value in fostering a better understanding of Warfighter-related medical research by non-science audiences.
  - The period of performance is February 2023 - present. The communication must be in English.
  - The content must encompass one or more of the four MHSRS focus areas - Warfighter Readiness, Expeditionary Medicine, Warfighter Performance and Return to Duty.
    - Eligible: Examples of nominated communications may be brochures, continuing education courses, databases, extension bulletins, magazines, newspapers (local or national), public presentations, public forums, radio and television scripts, reports, or public workshops.
    - Not eligible: Books, studies from scientific journals, blogs, or videos on websites or YouTube.
  - Only a single article or documentary is eligible. A series of articles will not be accepted; however, a single article from a series may be submitted for judging as standalone work.
  - Nominators may submit a maximum of two nominations for the same person.
  - Research cited in the communication must have been supported in part by Department of Defense or Congressional Special Interest funding. Submissions by international partners and supported by their government are also acceptable.
- Submit the nomination narrative in a paragraph (not bullet) format, not to exceed the stated word limit.
  - Succinctly state the communication and a brief description of the topic, date of release, scope of audience reached, any measurable impact, and the source of funding of the original research.
  - Provide a searchable link to the communication. DO NOT provide attachments to the package. They will not be referenced by the judging panel.
- Eligibility:
  - U.S. Active-Duty military, U.S. government civilian, and members of academia executing government funded research are eligible for this award.
  - Contractors, Industry, and international partners are not eligible for this award.
Distinguished Service Award
- Designed to recognize individuals who, over the years, have contributed significantly to the success of Military Health System (MHS) medical research as it impacts the warfighter.
- Eligibility:
  - U.S. Active Duty military, federal government civilians, academia, industry, international partners.
  - Contractors are not eligible for this award.
Outstanding Research Accomplishment (Individual)
- Designed to recognize outstanding research contributions (excludes non-research contributions, e.g., process improvement, program evaluation) by an individual research scientist with the focus on significant accomplishment(s) of high impact achieved since the 2023 MHSRS abstract deadline (since February 2023). The individual should have demonstrated outstanding leadership in pursuit of excellence for their country and service.
- Eligibility:
  - U.S. Active Duty Military, federal government civilian, academic or industry partner executing government funded industry research, international partners.
  - Contractors are not eligible for this award.
Outstanding Research Accomplishment (Team)
- Designed to recognize outstanding research contributions by a team of research scientists with focus on significant accomplishment of high impact achieved since the 2023 MHSRS abstract deadline (since February 2023).
- If multiple teams are involved (e.g., from different organizations), note how the work of each contributed to the overall accomplishment.
- Eligibitiliy
  - Teams can be intramural (within the government), extramural (government funded academic and/or industry research, collaborations with international partners) or combination of both, with favorable consideration being given to an integrated approach.
  - Mandatory Attachment
Outstanding Program Management (Team)
- Designed to recognize outstanding medical product Program Management. This award focuses on the accomplishments of a team that is charged with further maturing a medical research and development or a commercial effort. This is done by addressing and minimizing developmental risks, managing cost, schedule, and performance, and adhering to all applicable regulatory requirements. The end goal of the effort is the fielding/delivery of a product to the (deployed) warfighter which contributes to filling a military medical capability gap.
  - Research, development and/or acquisition must have been supported in part by Department of Defense or Congressional Special Interest funding. Submissions by international partners and supported by their government are also acceptable.
  - This award is focused on the program management of mature research and development efforts. It is not focused on advancements in basic or applied research. It applies to programs in Advanced Technology Development that are scheduled to transition, or which have transitioned to a Service or Component Project Management Office, and projects currently managed by a Service or Component Project Management Office.
  - The product development effort supporting the accomplishment can reach back five years, but the impact of the must have been realized since February 2023.
  - This accomplishment must be warfighter-related and fit into one of the 2024 abstract submission categories.
    - Submit the nomination narrative in a paragraph (not bullet) format, not to exceed the stated character limit. The narrative should encompass the following and note the date/period associated with each. Succinctly state the accomplishment and its impact.
    - Provide supporting evidence/significance of the accomplishment (e.g., completion of Phase 2 clinical trials, Food and Drug Administration clearance/approval, filling a capability gap, fielding by the military, industry partner commercialization).
    - Describe how previous efforts contributed to the accomplishment.
    - Note the source(s) of funding.
    - Note the team composition and their contribution to the accomplishment (Product managers, S&T researchers, regulatory personnel, etc.)
- Eligibility
  - Teams can be intramural (within the government), extramural (government funded academic and/or industry research, collaborations with international partners) or combination of both, with favorable consideration being given to an integrated approach.
  - Mandatory Attachments
    - List of team members who have significantly contributed to the accomplishment, their organization and e-mail addresses. Please DO NOT submit a list of 100+ names as team members. The list should be restricted to key players.
    - Nominations not including a list of team members, their organization, and their email addresses will be eliminated from consideration.