Science Journalism - Features now recognizes excellence in reporting, generally produced with deadlines of longer than one week, that explains the background of scientific discoveries or principles. It is named for Walter Sullivan of The New York Times, first recipient of the award for his lifetime achievement in science writing. Science Journalism - News recognizes excellence in reporting news of scientific advances, generally produced under deadline pressure of one week or less. It is named for David Perlman, Science Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle and 1997 winner of the Robert C. Cowen Award for Sustained Achievement in Science Journalism. The Sullivan and Perlman Awards are open to journalists working in any medium, except books, for published reports intended for and available to the general public.
Entrants determine the award for which they wish to compete, on the basis of the above definitions.
Separate entries may be made for each award, but no person may win both awards in the same year. The awards are made by the Council of the American Geophysical Union, based on the recommendations of an independent committee of scientists, educators, and journalists. A nominee must be the author of the submitted report. In the case of collaborative efforts, those involved must determine who is the nominee. The author must be an employee of a print or electronic publication or a broadcast or cable station or network or be a free-lance journalist.