Publication Prizes: Basker Book, New Millennium Book, Rivers Undergraduate Paper, Polgar MAQ paper, MASA Dissertation
Career Awards
The Career Achievement Award honors an individual who has advanced the field of medical anthropology through career-long contributions to theory or method, and who has been successful in communicating the relevance of medical anthropology to broader publics. Candidates for this award should be senior scholars, typically those who are retiring, or have achieved emeritus status, or have passed the age of 65.
Deadline: July 1
Awarded in even numbered years
The George Foster Practicing Medical Anthropology Award, first given in 2005, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to applying theory and methods in medical anthropology (particularly in diverse contexts), to multidisciplinary audiences and with some impact on policy.
Deadline: July 1
Awarded in odd numbered years
The MASA Graduate Student Mentoring Award recognizes excellence in graduate student mentorship, and is aimed at senior or mid-career scholars who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to teaching and mentorship throughout their careers, particularly those who have taken the time to successfully guide their MA and PhD students through field work and the thesis or dissertation writing process.
Deadline: July 1
Awarded every year
Book and Dissertation Prizes
The Eileen Basker Memorial Prize - The Basker Prize is awarded for a significant contribution to excellence in research on gender and health by scholars from any discipline or nation, for a specific book, article, film or exceptional PhD thesis produced within the preceding three years.
Deadline: July 1
Awarded Every Year
The New Millennium Book Award, first given in 2006, recognizes an author whose work is judged to be the most significant and potentially influential contribution to medical anthropology in recent years. Books of exceptional courage and potential impact beyond the field are given special consideration. Solo-authored (or coauthored) books published or copyrighted in the past 3 years are eligible.
Deadline: July 1
Awarded in odd numbered years
The MASA Dissertation Award is given to the author of a dissertation that is judged to be a significant and potentially influential contribution to medical anthropology. Dissertations are judged on the basis of: (1) scope and excellence of scholarship, including ethnographic research; (2) originality of subject matter; (3) effectiveness and persuasiveness of arguments; and (4) writing quality. Dissertation research of exceptional courage and difficulty is given special consideration.
The Steven Polgar Professional Paper Prize is awarded to a medical anthropologist for the best paper published in the SMA’s journal Medical Anthropology Quarterly (MAQ) during the most recent complete volume year, and carries a $500 cash award. No nominations are needed, as articles published in MAQ by eligible recipients are automatically considered.