Nominate Now: AAIC 2026 Awards

The Alzheimer’s Association is proud to celebrate the individuals who have made significant contributions to dementia science.

The Bill Thies Award for Distinguished Service to ISTAART, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Award for Alzheimer’s Research, AAIC Lifetime Achievement Awards in Alzheimer’s Disease Research & de Leon Prizes in Neuroimaging are now all open for nomination.

Bill Thies Award for Distinguished Service to ISTAART

The Bill Thies Award for Distinguished Service to ISTAART recognizes an ISTAART member who has provided continued and outstanding service to the ISTAART community, by contributing to one or more of:

• The ISTAART Advisory Council (IAC)
• ISTAART Professional Interest Areas (PIAs)
• The ISTAART Student Volunteer or the ISTAART Ambassador Program
• Any other ISTAART initiative

Eligibility Criteria

• Nominees must be a current ISTAART member.
• Nominees must demonstrate a current or past affiliation to a major academic or research/treatment institution(s). Affiliations to government, industry and non-profit organizations are eligible.
• The award will be presented to an individual ISTAART member. Institutions or organizations are not eligible for the award.
• The researcher must be present at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®), either in-person or virtually, to receive the award.
• Nominees from the following categories are not eligible for consideration:
  • Self-nominations
  • Current members of the ISTAART Advisory Council

Inge Grundke-Iqbal Award for Alzheimer’s Research

This Inge Grundke-Iqbal Award for Alzheimer’s Research is presented to the senior author of the most impactful study published in the field over the preceding two years. The purpose of the award is to highlight the tremendous work being done in Alzheimer’s research today and to honor the pioneering work of Dr. Inge Grundke-Iqbal. Only members from ISTAART may nominate candidates.

Eligibility Criteria

• The award will be given to the senior author(s)* of the most impactful study on the biology of Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions published during the two calendar years preceding the next Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®).
• The recipient(s) must be able to present a 25-minute plenary presentation at AAIC to receive the award unless otherwise unable to do so because of health restrictions or other serious conflicts.
• Nominees must demonstrate a current or past affiliation to a major academic or research/treatment institution(s).
• The award will be presented to an individual investigator(s). Institutions or organizations are not eligible to receive the award.
• Nominations may be made on behalf of individuals who are living at the time of the nomination.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.
• There are no restrictions with regard to race, gender, nationality, geographic location, or religious or political views.
• Members of the AAIC Scientific Program Committee are not eligible for consideration.

AAIC Lifetime Achievement Awards in Alzheimer’s Disease Research

The AAIC Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals who have made significant fundamental contributions to Alzheimer’s research, either through a single scientific discovery or a body of work. These contributions, whether they have been in research, leadership, or mentorship, must have had a lasting impact on the field and must have demonstrated a career-long commitment toward progress against Alzheimer’s and dementia. The awards are named in honor of Henry Wisniewski, M.D., Ph.D., Khalid Iqbal, Ph.D., and Bengt Winblad, M.D., Ph.D. – co-founders of the Alzheimer’s Association scientific conference, now known as the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®).

Eligibility Criteria

• Internationally recognized and demonstrates a commitment to Alzheimer’s and dementia treatment and research.
• Published Alzheimer’s and dementia research results in significant peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrate a current or past affiliation to a major academic or research/treatment institution(s). Affiliations to government, industry and non-profit organizations are eligible.
• Eligible individuals may be either active academically or retired. Typically, nominations should be for an individual who is at the end of his/her career or retired.
• Presented to an individual investigator. Institutions or organizations are not eligible for the award.
• Must be present at AAIC® to receive the award; in the case of extenuating circumstances, the recipient may designate an individual to accept the award on his or her behalf. Virtual options may be provided.
• Nominees from the following categories are not eligible for consideration:
  • Previous Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
  • Self-nominations.
  • Current members of the AAIC Scientific Program Committee.

de Leon Prizes in Neuroimaging

The de Leon prizes in Neuroimaging aim to recognize scientists judged to have published “best papers” in the field of neuroimaging of neurodegenerative processes. The paper has to focus on neuroimaging of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia causing mechanisms. Awards will be presented at the Alzheimer’s Imaging Consortium preconference prior to AAIC.

Eligibility Criteria

• The paper must be published in any peer-reviewed journal between January 1 – December 31 of the previous year and be in manuscript or final galley format at the time of the award nomination.
• Nominees must demonstrate a current or past affiliation to a major academic or research/treatment institution(s).
• Trainee prize (student, postdoc, clinical fellow) nominee: within three years of terminal degree and has to be the first author.
• Junior scientist: between 4 and 12 years past terminal degree, and the nominee has to be the first or last author. Individuals who are already at the rank of Full Professor are only eligible for the Senior Scientist.
• Senior scientist: more than 12 years past terminal degree and/or Full Professor or equivalent, and the nominee has to be the first or last author.
• Winners need to be verified as an ISTAART Neuroimaging PIA member at the time of the announcement.

PIA Publication of the Year Award

The PIA Publication of the Year Award recognizes the most impactful publication in the participating PIA’s field over the previous calendar year. Winners will be recognized during PIA day at AAIC.

Eligibility Criteria

• Publications relevant to the participating PIA’s field that were first published between January 1st and December 31st of the previous year are eligible.
• Nominations can only be submitted by ISTAART members.
• Authors are not required to be ISTAART or PIA members.
• Self-nominations are eligible.