The PRX Energy Breakthrough Award
The PRX Energy Breakthrough Award honors an outstanding early career researcher with a significant research breakthrough in renewable and sustainable energy within the past two years.
To ensure equitable representation across our journal's diverse scope, the targeted focus area rotates annually. For 2026, the designated focus is Energy Generation (Materials Science and Chemistry Focus).
The recipient of the 2026 award will win:
- $3000 cash prize
- Framed certificate
- Recognition on the PRX Energy webpage and across APS journals platforms
- Personalized email announcement to the recipient’s head of department (or equivalent) celebrating the recipient in their research community
- Invitation to submit a high-profile Perspective article on their field to PRX Energy
Rules and eligibility
Key dates
- Nomination deadline: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
- Award announced: December 2026
Eligibility criteria
We welcome candidates from academia, national laboratories, startups, and industry. Nominees can be put forward by a peer or may self-nominate. To qualify, candidates must be:
- Active researchers: Currently working on cutting-edge topics related to renewable and sustainable energy.
- Early-career scientists: Less than 10 years from receiving their PhD.
- Authors of a substantial breakthrough result within the field of energy generation (materials and chemistry focus) achieved within the past 2 years.
- Note: Prior publication in PRX Energy or other journals in the APS portfolio is viewed favorably but is not required.
Commitment to diversity
Nominations of researchers from underrepresented groups or lower-income research communities are strongly encouraged.
Nomination materials
The nomination must include:
- Personal information for the individual submitting the nomination: Name, affiliation, contact info
- Nominee’s personal information: Name, affiliation, email address, career stage, google scholar and/or ORCID page, CV with full publication list
- Brief summary: A single sentence that describes the breakthrough that inspired this nomination. Reference works should be linked.
- Nomination statement: A long-form description outlining why the nominee is the ideal candidate for this distinction. (max 250 words)
- Contacts for two letters of recommendation (one can come from the submitter if not the nominee)
Process and selection
A selection committee composed of PRX Energy Editorial Board members with appropriate topical expertise will evaluate candidates using a standardized rubric emphasizing research impact.
Avoiding bias:
- Nominees cannot be current PRX Energy editors or editorial board members. Find our editorial team here.
- Current PRX Energy editors or editorial board members cannot submit nominations for the award.
- Recommendation letters cannot come from current PRX Energy editors or editorial board members.
- Selection committee members will declare any potential conflicts of interest to the Chief Editor before the selection process begins.