NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR WM2027 !
To submit your nomination, log into the WMS website and select the appropriate WM2027 award button.
WMS Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the long-term commitment of an individual whose long-term dedication, spanning at least thirty-five years of service, has left a legacy of technical achievements in nuclear waste management and related activities. These activities include education, research, public policy, or practical implementation and whose actions have contributed to the resolution of significant nuclear waste management issues.
Lifetime Achievement Award nominations are due by 1, November 2026.
WMS Lifetime Achievement Award nominations information and criteria
WMS Distinguished Service Award
The WM Symposia Distinguished Service Award recognizes a recipient’s leadership in advancing the end state solutions to major radioactive waste challenges, and whose personal actions have contributed to the achievement of project, technical or policy resolutions. The goal of this award is to highlight an individual that has committed a career to bringing knowledge, leadership and closure to the many diverse challenges within the broad radioactive waste field. Its intent is to reward the individual for program management, organization, process and policy actions that have significantly accelerated the ultimate end state solutions to radioactive waste disposition and benefitted the broader radioactive waste management community at large.
WMS Distinguished Service Award nominations are due by 1, November 2026.
WMS Distinguished Service Award nomination information and criteria
WMS John Mathieson International Collaboration Award
The new John Mathieson International Collaboration Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering global collaboration, cooperation, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in radioactive waste management and related activities. This award was established in June of 2026 in honor of Mr. John Mathieson, who served WM Symposia with distinction for more than thirty-five years and played a pivotal role in strengthening global engagement within the radioactive waste management community.
The Award celebrates those whose efforts have advanced global understanding, cooperation, and progress across organizations, countries, and generations of professionals. In keeping with Mr. Mathieson’s example, the Award also recognizes leadership exercised with empathy, generosity, humility, and respect for colleagues across cultures, organizations, and generations.
WMS John Mathieson International Collaboration Award nominations are due by 1, November 2026.
WM John Mathieson International Collaboration Award nominations information and criteria
WMS Fellow Award
WMS established the honor of Fellow in 2011. The objective is to recognize volunteers for distinguished contributions to the advancement of radioactive waste and radioactive material management. Elevation to the status of WMS Fellow is attained through peer recognition and selection by the WM Symposia Awards Committee.
Fellow Award nominations are due by 1, November 2026.
Fellow Award nomination information and criteria
WMS Young Professional Award
Starting at WM2017, WM Symposia will present a new award to recognize “Young Professionals” in our field. The objective is to annually recognize one young professional for their distinguished contributions to the advancement of radioactive waste and radioactive material management. Elevation to the status of “Young Professional” is attained through peer recognition and confirmation by the WMS Awards Committee.
WMS Young Professional Award nominations are due by 1, November 2026.
Young Professional Award nomination information and criteria
Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Award
WMS established the WMS Program Advisory Committee Award to annually recognize one individual whose outstanding contributions have helped make and keep the annual WMS Conference the world’s premier conference on the management and disposal of nuclear waste. Elevation to the status of receiving the “PAC Award” is attained through peer recognition and confirmation by the WMS Awards Committee.
PAC Award nominations are due by 1, November 2026.
PAC Award nomination information and criteria
WM/ASME Sarge Ozker Award
Named in honor of M. Sacid (Sarge) Ozker and established in 1980, this award is bestowed for distinguished service and eminent achievement in the commercialization of nuclear power/energy with particular emphasis in the field of radioactive waste management. It is presented by the Nuclear Engineering Division – Radwaste Systems Operating Committee of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Please contact the ASME-Radwaste Systems Operating Committee for nominations.
Best Oral Presentations/ Paper Awards
WMS recognizes the two best oral presentation/papers from the previous year’s conference. The American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) present an award for the best presentation/papers.
Best Poster Presentations/ Paper Awards
WMS recognizes the two best poster presentation/papers from the previous year’s conference. The American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) present an award for the best poster/papers presentation.
Judges also select the best poster of each Track based on the Presentation, technical quality and preparation of the work. They are displayed during the conference.
~
~
QUESTION ABOUT AWARDS OR NOMINATIONS
All questions related to the WMS awards should be directed to Kapila Fernando, Chair of the WMS Awards Committee at kfernando@wmsym.org
Past Award winners are listed on the award winner page.