To honor and recognize the dedication of physicists who have made contributions to the development of physics in countries of the third world. The award will be made to a physicist who, working in developing country has made an outstanding contribution to the development of physics in that region by working with local physicists in physics research or teaching. Nominations are open to physicists of all nationalities but the award will not be given to a person for work in his or her own country.
Nominations are active for three consecutive reviews.
The John Wheatley Award is not presented in 2002.