Purpose

The Gold Medal Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Society of Biological Psychiatry to recognize pioneering contributions to the field of biological psychiatry. This award celebrates significant and sustained work that has advanced knowledge and transformed scientific understanding within the discipline.  Awardees are presented with a monetary prize of $5000 USD.

Eligibility

• The award is open to all scientists working in biological psychiatry, including individuals affiliated with academic institutions, foundations, government agencies, industry, and research organizations.
• Nominees do not need to be members of the Society of Biological Psychiatry.
• Members of the Honorific Award Committee are not eligible for nomination while serving on the committee.

Nomination Process

• Nominations may be submitted any member of the Society or other national and international scientific organizations; non-SOBP members should contact sobp@sobp.org to confirm their eligibility as nominators.
• A complete nomination package must include:
  • A letter of nomination detailing the nominee’s contributions and impact in the field (max 2 pages).
  • A separate document listing of up to ten (10) key publications representing the nominee’s most significant work.
  • All applications must be submitted by the nominator by email to sobp@sobp.org

Selection Process

• The Honorific Award Committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the SOBP Council for final review and approval.
• The selection is based on scientific accomplishments, including independence, originality, and impact, as well as the development of new concepts, theories, or techniques that have significantly contributed to the field over time.

Previous Recipients (last 10 years)

2015 – Francine M. Benes, MD, PhD, Harvard University, McLean Hospital and Alan F. Schatzberg, MD, Stanford University
2016 – Anthony Grace, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
2017 – Trevor Robbins, PhD, University of Cambridge
2018 – John Krystal, MD, Yale University
2019 – Huda Akil, PhD, University of Michigan
David Lewis, MD, University of Pittsburgh
2020 - Carol Tamminga, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Suzanne Haber, PhD, University of Rochester
2021 – Daniel Geschwind, MD, University of California, Los Angeles
2022 – George Koob, PhD, National Institute of Mental Health
2023- Deanna Marie Barch, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis
2024- Mary Phillips, MD, University of Pittsburgh
2025- Carrie Bearden, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Paul M. Thompson, PhD, University of Southern California

Purpose

The A.E. Bennett Basic Research Award aims to support and encourage early-career investigators in advancing basic research in biological psychiatry. Awardees are presented with a monetary prize of 5,000 USD.

Eligibility

• Nominees are not required to be a member of the Society of Biological Psychiatry but
• Must meet ONE of the following criteria:
  • Be under the age of 45 as of January 1 of the award year, or
  • Have been engaged in research for no more than 10 years following the completion of their terminal degree or formal clinical/fellowship training, whichever is later.

Nomination Process

• Nominations are only accepted by the candidates’ Department Chairs; Chairs are not required to be members of the Society, and each Chair may nominate multiple candidates
• The candidate themselves must submit their nomination package by email to sobp@sobp.org
• A complete nomination package must include:
  • A letter of nomination from the Department Chair (max 2 pages)
  • Two (2) additional letters of support (each max 2 pages), one of which must be from a Society member
  • A Biosketch outlining the candidate’s academic and research background (max 5 pages)
  • A separate document listing three (3) key publications representing the nominee’s most significant work, with a strong preference for papers where they are the first or senior (corresponding) author

Selection Process

• The A.E. Bennett Award Committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the SOBP Council for final review and approval.
• The selection is based on the significance, originality, and independence of the candidate’s research contributions.

Previous Recipients (last 10 years)

2015 – Guo-li Ming, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University

2016 – Susanne E. Ahmari, MD PhD, University of Pittsburgh and Alan Anticevic, PhD

(clinical/translational) – Yale University

2017 – Todd D. Gould, MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Carolyn Rodrigues, MD, PhD (clinical) – Stanford University and

2018 – Sergiu Pasca, MD – Stanford University and Jonathan Sebat, PhD – University of California

San Diego, San Diego

2019 – Zachary Freyberg, MD, – University of Pittsburgh and Avram Holmes, PhD

(clinical/translational) – Yale University

2020 – Shelly Flagel, PhD, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan

2021 – Vikaas Sohal, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco

2022 – Jared Young, PhD, University of California San Diego

2023- Lucina Q. Uddin, PhD, University of California Los Angles

2025- Alex Fornito, PhD, Monash University

Purpose

The A.E. Bennett Basic Research Award aims to support and encourage early-career investigators in advancing clinical and translational research in psychiatry. Awardees are presented with a monetary prize of 5,000 USD.

Eligibility

• Nominees are not required to be a member of the Society of Biological Psychiatry but
• Must meet ONE of the following criteria:
  • Be under the age of 45 as of January 1 of the award year, or
  • Have been engaged in research for no more than 10 years following the completion of their terminal degree or formal clinical/fellowship training, whichever is later.

Nomination Process

• Nominations are only accepted by the candidates’ Department Chairs; Chairs are not required to be members of the Society, and each Chair may nominate multiple candidates
• The candidate themselves must submit their nomination package by email to sobp@sobp.org
• A complete nomination package must include:
  • A letter of nomination from the Department Chair (max 2 pages)
  • Two (2) additional letters of support (each max 2 pages), one of which must be from a Society member
  • A Biosketch outlining the candidate’s academic and research background (max 5 pages)
  • A separate document listing three (3) key publications representing the nominee’s most significant work, with a strong preference for papers where they are the first or senior (corresponding) author

Selection Process

• The A.E. Bennett Award Committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the SOBP Council for final review and approval.
• The selection is based on the significance, originality, and independence of the candidate’s research contributions.

Previous Recipients (last 10 years)

2016 – Alan Anticevic, PhD, Yale University

2017 – Carolyn Rodrigues, MD, PhD, Stanford University

2018 –Jonathan Sebat, PhD – University of California, San Diego

2019 –Avram Holmes, PhD, Yale University

2020 - Michael Fox, MD, PhD, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan

2021 – Alik Widge, MD, PhD, University of Minnesota

2022 – Aristotle Voineskos, MD, PhD, University of Toronto

2023- Rebecca B. Price, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

2024 – Nolan Williams, MD, Stanford University and James Murrough, MD, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount

Sinai

2025- Andrew S. Fox, PhD, University of California, Davis

Purpose 

The Humanitarian Award honors individuals or institution and organizations that have made outstanding contributions through service, advocacy, and leadership in advancing the well-being of individuals affected by mental illness. This award recognizes profound commitment to improving mental health care, reducing stigma, and advocating for policies that support individuals, families, and communities impacted by mental illness. 

Eligibility 

• Institutional Nominees 
  • Non-profit organizations with sustained contributions to mental health through advocacy and/or grant funding  
  • Can be located or can operate anywhere in the world  
• Individual Nominees 
  • Nominees are not required to be a member of the Society of Biological Psychiatry 

Nomination Process 

• Nominations are only accepted by members of the Society
• Nominators must submit a letter of nomination (max 3 pages); the letter of nomination should include a clearly identifiable section to describe any potential conflicts of interest focusing mainly on financial and personal relationships between the nominator (and their immediate family) and the individual/institution they are nominating.
• The nomination letter must be submitted by email to sobp@sobp.org 

Selection Process 

• The Honorific Awards Committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the SOBP Council for final review and approval.
• Both individuals and organization will be selected based on their sustained impact, dedication, and leadership in mental health advocacy, with an emphasis on the significance of their efforts in raising awareness, providing funding, driving policy change, and enhancing support for individuals affected by mental illness.

Previous Recipients (last 10 years) 

2015 – Herbert Pardes, MD, New York Presbyterian 

2016 – Bernard Marcus, The Marcus Foundation, Inc. 

2017 – The Simons Foundation  

2018 – David Satcher, MD, PhD, Morehouse School of Medicine 

2019 – Patrick McGorry, MD, PhD – Orygen 

2020 – Tami Benton, MD, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia 

2021 – National Alliance on Mental Illness 

2022 – Rick Wolthusen, MD, MPP, Duke University Medical Center 

2023 – Arash Javanbakht, MD, Wayne State University                                                                       

2024- Arthur Evans, PhD, American Psychological Association 

2025- Ken Duckworth, MD, Chief Medical Officer NAMI

Purpose 

George N. Thompson was one of the founding members of the Society of Biological Psychiatry. The award memorializes his contributions by recognizing members of the Society that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing the Society’s mission either individually or within SOBP committees and groups.    

Eligibility 

• Individual Nominees 
  • Nominees are required to be members of the Society of Biological Psychiatry 
• Committees/Groups 
  • Eligibility for this award includes collective efforts undertaken by SOBP-designated committees, task forces, or other groups.   

Nomination Process 

• Nominations are only accepted by members of the Society
• Nominators must submit a letter of nomination (max 3 pages)
• The nomination letter must be submitted by email to sobp@sobp.org 

Selection Process 

• The Honorific Awards Committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the SOBP Council for final review and approval.
• Both individual and collective efforts will be selected based on 
  • Leadership and Governance: Serving in key leadership roles, shaping the strategic direction of the Society, and fostering its growth and impact. 
  • Development of Publications: Enhancing the Society’s scholarly and scientific influence through the creation, expansion, or editorial leadership of its publications. 
  • Special Projects: Initiating or leading significant projects that contribute to the advancement of biological psychiatry and the Society’s goals. 
  • Other Distinguished Service: Demonstrating exceptional commitment through long-term involvement in mentorship or other significant contributions as recognized by the Council. 

Previous Recipients (past 10 years) 

2015 – Scott L. Rauch, MD, McLean Hospital 

2016 – Paul E. Holtzheimer, III, MD, Dartmouth and Kristina M. Deligiannidis, MD, University of Massachusetts 

2017 – Stephen Strakowski, MD, Dell Medical School, University of Texas Austin 

2018 – Ned Kalin, MD, University of Wisconsin 

2019 – Cam Carter, MD, University of California, Davis 

2020 – Mary Phillips, MD, University of Pittsburgh 

2021 – Karen Berman, MD, National Institute of Mental Health 

2022 – SOBP Women’s Leadership Group 

2023- Noah S. Philip, MD, VA Providence & Brown University     

2024- Sarah Short, PhD, University of Wisconsin 

2025- Manpreet Singh, MD, MS, University of California, Davis

Purpose 

The Educator Award recognizes outstanding commitments to advancing education in psychiatry either by individuals or by SOBP-designated committees and groups. 

Eligibility 

• Individual Nominees 
  • Nominees are not required to be members of the Society of Biological Psychiatry. 
  • Nominees should have completed their professional training, as the award is intended for faculty-level educators or equivalent professionals. 
• Committees/Groups 
  • Eligibility for this award includes collective efforts undertaken by SOBP-designated committees, task forces, or other groups.   
• Individual and group nominees may have made significant contributions to one or more educational domains, including undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and continuing medical education, as well as broader educational initiatives designed for the general public. 

Nomination Process 

• Only members of the Society can submit nominations (either for individuals or groups), with each member limited to one nomination per award cycle.
• Nomination of Individuals 
  • The candidate themselves must submit their nomination package by email to sobp@sobp.org 
  • A complete nomination package must include: 
    • A letter of nomination (max 2 pages) 
    • One (1) additional letter of support by either a former trainee or mentee documenting the nominee’s significant impact on biological psychiatry education, OR a colleague involved in curriculum development, textbook authorship, or other educational initiatives with the nominee; support letters need not be from members of the Society. 
    • A Biosketch outlining the candidate’s contributions (max 5 pages)
    • Candidate’s Education Portfolio, to include 
      • Statement of educational philosophy (max 1 page) 
      • Goals as an educator (max 1 page) 
      • A comprehensive summary outlining the nature and impact of the educational contributions to be considered in the award evaluation (max 2 pages) 
• Nomination of SOBP-designated Groups 
  • A designated member of the group must submit the nomination package by email to sobp@sobp.org 
  • A complete nomination package must include: 
    • A letter of nomination (max 2 pages) 
    • One (1) additional letter of support from a colleague who is familiar with the education initiatives of the group and can attest to their impact; support letters need not be from members of the Society 
    • Group’s Education Portfolio, to include  
      • Statement of the goals and education approach adopted by the group (max 2 pages) 
      • A comprehensive summary outlining the nature and impact of the educational contributions to be considered in the award evaluation (max 2 pages) 

Selection Process 

• The Honorific Awards Committee will review all nominations and make recommendations to the SOBP Council for final review and approval.
• Both individual and collective efforts will be selected based on
  • Quality: Evidence of educational excellence and impact. 
  • Innovation: Implementation of novel approaches, teaching methods, assessment techniques, or dissemination strategies. 
  • Engagement: Active involvement at local, regional, national, or international levels in education-related initiatives. 
  • Breadth and scope of educational contributions in psychiatry. 

Previous Recipients   

2019 – David Ross, MD, PhD, Yale University 

2020 – Sophia Frangou, MD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 

2021 – Mayada Akil, MD, Georgetown University 

2022 – Charles Gillespie, MD, Emory University School of Medicine 

2023- Leanne M. Williams, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine                                     

2024- Charles B. Nemeroff, MD, PhD, Dell Medical School University of Texas at Austin 

2025- Ira Glick, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine

Purpose 

The Somerfeld-Ziskind Research Award, an annual prize of 5,000 USD, recognizes outstanding and original research published in Biological Psychiatry. 

Eligibility 

• First author(s) of the fifteen (15) highest-ranked papers based on peer review scores published in the 12 calendar months preceding the annual meeting of the Society 

Nomination Process 

None required. 

Selection Process 

• The editorial office identifies the papers that meet the eligibility criteria. 
• The Editors of the three Society Journals select the award recipient(s) based on  
  • Scientific quality  
  • Originality   
  • Impact 

Previous Recipients (past 10 years) 

2015 – Adam S. Smith, PhD – National Institute of Mental Health 

2016 – Peter Nagele, MD – Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis 

2017 – Stephanie Solso, University of California 

2018 – Hannah Cates, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine and Rosemary Bagot, PhD – McGill University 

2019 – Aurelijus Burokas, PhD, Vilnius University 

2020 – Theo van Erp, PhD, University of California, Irvine 

2021 – Gunes Sevinc, PhD, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Leah Mayo, PhD, Linkoping University 

2022 – Rongrong Huang, Southeastern University 

2023- JooEun Kang, PhD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Niamh Mullins, PhD, Icahn School Of Medicine at Mount Sinai                                                                                                 

2024- Sameer A. Sheth, MD, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine; Kelly Rowe Bijanki PhD, Baylor College of Medicine                                                                                                        

2024- Friederike Holze, PhD, University Hospital Basel and Peter Gasser, MD, University of Basel Switzerland 

2025- Robin Murphy, PhD, University of Auckland

Purpose 

This award, an annual prize of 5,000 USD recognizes outstanding and original research published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. 

Eligibility 

• First author(s) of the fifteen (15) highest-ranked papers based on peer review scores published in the year preceding the annual meeting of the Society 

Nomination Process 

None required. 

Selection Process 

• The editorial office identifies the papers that meet the eligibility criteria. 
• The Editors of the three Society Journals select the award recipient(s) based on  
  • Scientific quality  
  • Originality
  • Impact