Behavioral & Social Sciences Section Awards

Please choose an award name to view specific details and requirements.


Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Award

Richard KalishThe Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Award recognizes original and innovative publications in aging and life course research in the behavioral and social sciences. Works than span empirical, conceptual, creative and multimedia publications that advance such research are eligible for the award, provided they are in English and published in the last three years.

Submission Period: Spring 2024

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominations must be made by a GSA member.

Nomination Process

Required Nomination Packet Materials:

  • A single nomination letter signed by at least 3 supporters that should include the following:
    • a statement outlinning the innovative and state-of-the-art contributions of the publications
  • A current Curriculum Vitae.
  • Article - A digital copy of the entire article for six people to access. 
  • Book - A digital copy of the entire book for six people to access.
  • Copies of published reviews.

Nature of Award
The recipients of the two awards (one for an an article and one for a book) receive a framed certificate and are recognized at the Behavioral & Social Sciences Section Business Meeting and Award Presentation at Annual Scientific Meeting.

Past Awardees
View here


Distinguished Career Contribution to Gerontology Award

The Distinguished Career Contribution Award is presented annually to an individual whose contributions over the course of his or her career have articulated a novel theoretical or methodological perspective or synthesis that addresses a significant problem in the literature. 

Submission Period: Spring 2024

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must be (or if retired, must have been) a member of the BSS Section.
  • Nominees must have been published with the past five (5) years.

Nomination Process

Required Nomination Packet Materials:

  • A single nomination letter signed by at least three (3) supporters that should include the following:
    • The nominee's contribution and influence.
    • The nominee's impact on the field of gerontology or behavioral and social sciences in particular.
  • A current Curriculum Vitae

Nature of Award
The recipient receives a certificate and is recognized at the Behavioral & Social Sciences Section Business Meeting and Award Presentation at Annual Scientific Meeting.

Past Awardees
View here


Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award

The Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award is given to individuals who have fostered excellence in, and had a major impact on, the field by virtue of their mentoring, and whose inspiration is sought by students and colleagues. The mentor must have had an influence on graduate, undergraduate, or professional students or junior colleagues, as evidenced by the number and accomplishments of his or her proteges. The nominee's influence on the next generation of gerontologists also may be evident through training programs, research on and written materials associated with pedagogy (e.g., textbooks, articles), supervising research, or providing clinical training. 

Submission Period: Spring 2024

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nominees must be (or if retired, must have been) a member of the BSS Section.

Nomination Process

Required Nomination Packet Materials:

  • A single letter of nomination signed by at least three (3) supporters. The letter should:
    • Be written by the nominee’s mentee, 
    • Summarize the mentor's influence on students and colleagues,
    • Reflect the range of the nominees influence, and
    • Provide specific information about mentoring, rather than focusing on the nominee's other professional accomplishments. 
  • A current Curriculum Vitae. 
  • A list of the nominee's mentees, their occupations, and selected relevant accomplishments.

Nature of Award
The recipient receives a certificate and is recognized at the Behavioral & Social Sciences Section Business Meeting and Award Presentation at Annual Scientific Meeting.


Student Research Award

The Behavioral and Social Sciences Section presents two awards for student papers: one at the pre-dissertation level and one at the dissertation level. Eligibility at the pre-dissertation level is limited to student members enrolled in doctoral programs who do not yet have their doctorate degree. Eligibility at the dissertation level is limited to student members who are no more than 18 months post doctorate by the final submission deadline.

Submission Period: Summer 2024

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must be a Student or Transitional member (ESPO) of the Behavioral and Social Sciences section.
  • The paper must be a completed empirical study dealing with a topic of relevance to the BSS section of GSA.
  • The paper may not be published nor accepted for publication at time of submission.
  • The quality of review of previous theoretical and/or empirical work.
  • Intelligent use and explanation of existing theory to build a context for the present paper.
  • Originality/Creativity.
  • Extent to which relevant methodological aspects (e.g., sample, measures, data analysis) are adequately described.
  • Quality of methods (e.g., use of appropriate sampling, data collection, research design and data analytic techniques; proper execution of chosen methods).
  • Appropriateness of scope of the paper (e.g., does the author attempt to accomplish too much?).
  • Quality of Interpretation (e.g., conclusions do not extend beyond what the data indicate; awareness of study limitations; relevance to future practice, theory, or research are well-described).
  • Writing style/Adherence to guidelines.
  • Progression of Ideas.
  • The paper must adhere to APA style (American Psychological Association (2010), Publication Manual, 6th Ed).
  • The paper must inlcude the statement "I have complied with the APA ethical standards of research in regards to this submission."
  • The paper may not exceed 30 double-spaced pages total (including, figures, tables, references, and appendices) at a minimum of 12 point font with one-inch margins all around.
  • Finally, student papers must be primarily the work of the student. If the manuscript is co-authored, a letter from the other author is required that should verify that the student applicant had the primary responsibility for the work.
  • Papers considered for the award must be presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting during the year of the competition.

Self Nomination Process

Required Nomination Packet Materials:

  • Two copies of your paper (one blind, one unblinded) 
  • Abstract control ID number
  • If the manuscript is co-authored, a letter from the other author is required that should verify that the student applicant had the primary responsibility for the work.

Nature of Award
The award recipient at the dissertation level receives a $500 cash prize and the award recipient at the pre-dissertation level receives a $500 cash prize. Recipients also receive a certificate and will be recognized at the Behavioral & Social Sciences Section Business Meeting and Section Lunch at the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting.

Past Awardees
View here


 Boaz Kahana Student Poster Award

BoazKahanaThe Boaz Kahana Student Poster Award recognizes a current BSS student member, graduate or undergraduate, for original and innovative research relevant to mental health and aging. 

Boaz Kahana Ph.D., FGSA, FAGHE was an eminent gerontologist and clinical psychologist who received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1966 and taught at Washington University (St Louis), Oakland University (Rochester), and Cleveland State University. He published extensively on grandparenthood, adaptation to extreme stress, cancer survivorship in late life, and successful aging. He was a beloved mentor, committed to teaching and encouraging students to present their research early in their careers.

Submission Period

Summer 2024

Eligiblity Criteria

  • Applicants must be a Student or Transitional member (ESPO) of Behavioral and Social Sciences Section of GSA.
  • Applicants much be the first author of the submitted work.
  • Applicants must submit an abstract for the Annual Scientific Meeting.
  • The abstract must be accepted for the conference.
  • The student must present at the Annual Scientific Meeting.
  • The applicant must submit a PDF or PowerPoint version of their poster.
  • The applicant must submit a statement from a mentor or advisor verifying that the work is primarily the student's.

Self Nomination Process

  • two copies of your poster (one blind, one unblinded) 
  • If the poster is co-authored, a letter from the other author is required that should verify that the student applicant had the primary responsibility for the work.

Nature of Award

The award recipient receives a $500 cash prize. Recipients also receive a certificate and will be recognized at the Behavioral & Social Sciences Section Business Meeting and Section Lunch at the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting.

Past Awardees
View here