AST Achievement Awards

The AST sponsors a variety of Achievement Awards in recognition of AST members' achievements and contributions to the field of transplantation. The AST encourages members to nominate deserving candidates for consideration.

The Society remains committed to a diverse and inclusive culture. The membership is encouraged to consider nominations not only for outstanding contributions to transplantation but also with an eye towards diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, and race. 

View a list of previous AST Achievement Award recipients and descriptions of the 2020 recipients, 2021 recipients, and 2022 recipients.

EXTENDED: Nominations for the 2023 AST Achievement Awards have been extended through February 7, 2023.

Nomination Process

Nominations open in November and close in January.

The AST Awards Committee reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the AST Board of Directors. Nominees and nominators are notified of the outcome by the end of March. (Exception: The Transplant Advocacy Award is reviewed by the Transplant Community Advisory Council.)

Award recipients are recognized annually at the AST Awards Ceremony during the American Transplant Congress. Recipients are expected to attend the ATC; registration is not included as part of the AST award.

You may review the specific award details and application requirements for each category below.

AST Transplant Advocacy Award

The Transplant Advocacy award recognizes an individual's contribution and advocacy to one or more of the following areas:

  • Transplant Recipient Quality of Life
  • Organ Donation
  • Transplant Education
  • Recipient and Donor Rights
  • Transplant Research Funding
Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be a transplant recipient, candidate, living donor, donor family and/or community advocate who has championed a transplant or donation cause.
  2. Nominators may be AST members or the transplant community at large.
  3. AST members are not eligible to receive this award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution and email)
  2. Nominee’s bio or resume
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation written by the nominator
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Transplant Advocacy Award Nomination

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AST Advancing Equity in Organ Transplantation Award

The Advancing Equity in Organ Transplantation Award recognizes an individual whose work has made a significant impact on increasing equity and reducing racial disparities in transplantation.

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. The work does not need to have occurred within the year of nomination.
  2. Individuals may apply.
  3. The types of work that would be eligible for this award include but are not limited to:
    • Research which exposes, mitigates, or eliminates inequities in organ donation and transplantation.
    • Programs implemented by hospitals, insurance companies, OPOs, patient groups, or professional organizations which reduce inequities in organ transplantation.
  4. Principal nominator must be an active member of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. AST membership is not a requirement for this award; however membership and nominee’s service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s bio or resume
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation written by the nominator
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit an Advancing Equity in Organ Transplantation Award Nomination

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AST Senior Achievement Award in Clinical Transplantation

The Senior Achievement Award in Clinical Transplantation recognizes outstanding contributions to clinical transplantation over the course of a clinical career. Special consideration will be given to individuals whose careers have shaped the course of transplantation of solid organs.

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must have made significant contribution to the field of solid organ transplantation.
  2. Nominee must be recognized as an expert in his/her field.
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. An individual cannot receive the Senior Achievement Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation written by the nominator (with signatures on institutional letterhead)
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Senior Achievement Award in Clinical Transplantation

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AST Mentoring Award

The AST Mentoring Award recognizes outstanding mentors in the field of transplantation. Special consideration will be given to individuals whose dedicated leadership and contribution have shaped the career path(s) of individuals who trained under their guidance.

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must have made significant contributions over the course of his/her career in mentoring individuals in the field of solid organ transplantation.
  2. Nominee must be recognized as an expert in his/her field.
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee must be at an Associate Professor or Professor Level.
  5. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV: this document must identify mentoring accomplishments and include a list of mentees and where they are now located
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation from the nominator and three (3) letters of support from mentees (with signatures on institutional letterhead)
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Mentoring Award

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AST Physician of Distinction Award

The AST Physician of Distinction Award recognizes outstanding transplant physicians whose careers are focused on clinical care.

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be a transplant physician whose career is focused on clinical care.
  2. The candidate for the award should have a reputation as an outstanding clinician and innovator. This might include:
    • innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment, or care of transplant patients and/or living donors; the application of technology to transplant-related care; and/or developing models of transplant care delivery;
    • developing treatment protocols, practice guidelines, educational materials, or policies that influence the standard of care of transplant patients and/or living donors;
    • visiting professorships or invitations to speak nationally on issues related to the clinical care of transplant patients and/or living donors.
    • advocacy on public policy issues impacting transplantation, potentially including participation in advisory panels to governmental organizations or testimony on Capitol Hill;
    • leadership roles in regional and/or national professional organizations related to transplantation
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. An individual cannot receive the AST Physician of Distinction Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation, written by the nominator with signature on institutional letterhead
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Physician of Distinction Award

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AST Basic Science Established Investigator Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be a senior basic scientist in the field of transplantation at the Professor level.
  2. Nominee must have made significant contributions and be recognized as an expert in his/her field.
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. An individual cannot receive the Basic Science Established Investigator Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation, written by the nominator with signature on institutional letterhead
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Basic Science Established Investigator Award

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AST Basic Science Investigator Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be a mid-career investigator at the Assistant Professor Level more than seven (7) years from initial appointment as Assistant Professor or at the Associate Professor Level.
  2. Nominee must have made substantial contributions to the field of transplantation medicine
  3. Nominee must show signs of a bright future ahead in transplantation; therefore, the award may be used as a device for career development.
  4. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  5. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  6. An individual cannot receive the Basic Science Investigator Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. Two (2) letters of recommendation with signature on institutional letterhead. One of the letters must be written by the nominator
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Basic Science Investigator Award

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AST Basic Science Career Development Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be an investigator at the Assistant Professor Level within the first seven (7) years of initial appointment as an Assistant Professor.
  2. Nominee must show contributions to the field of transplantation medicine since gaining independence and must show promise of continued contributions to the field; therefore, the award may be used as a mechanism for career development.
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. An individual cannot receive the Basic Science Career Development Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. Two (2) letters of recommendation with signature on institutional letterhead. One of the letters must be written by the nominator.
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Basic Science Career Development Award

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AST Clinical Science Established Investigator Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be a senior clinical scientist in the field of transplantation at the Professor Level.
  2. Nominee must have made significant contributions and be recognized as an expert in his/her field.
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. An individual cannot receive the Clinical Science Established Investigator Award within five years of having been the recipient of a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation, written by the nominator with signature on institutional letterhead
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Clinical Science Established Investigator Award

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AST Clinical Science Investigator Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be a mid-career investigator at the Assistant Professor Level more than seven (7) years from initial appointment as Assistant Professor or at the Associate Professor Level.
  2. Nominee must have made substantial contribution to the field of transplantation medicine.
  3. Nominee must show signs of a bright future ahead in transplantation; therefore, the award may be used as a device for career development.
  4. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  5. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  6. An individual cannot receive the Clinical Science Investigator Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. Two (2) letters of recommendation with signature on institutional letterhead. One of the letters must be written by the nominator.
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Clinical Science Investigator Award

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AST Clinical Science Career Development Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be an investigator at the Assistant Professor Level within the first seven (7) years of initial appointment as an Assistant Professor.
  2. Nominee must show contributions to the field of transplantation medicine since gaining independence and must show promise of continued contributions to the field; therefore, the award may be used as a mechanism for career development.
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. An individual cannot receive the Clinical Science Career Development Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. Two (2) letters of recommendation with signature on institutional letterhead. One of the letters must be written by the nominator.
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Clinical Science Career Development Award

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AST Distinguished Senior Career Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be a senior clinician or administrator in the field of transplantation, with a substantial and sustained practice (generally >14 years).
  2. Nominee must have made significant contributions and be recognized as an expert in his/her field.
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. Physicians are ineligible for this award.
  6. An individual cannot receive the Distinguished Senior Career Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. One (1) letter of recommendation, written by the nominator with signature on institutional letterhead
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Distinguished Senior Career Award

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AST Distinguished Mid-Career Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be a mid-career clinician or administrator in the field of transplantation, with 7-14 years of practice experience.
  2. Nominee must have made substantial contribution to the field of transplantation.
  3. Nominee must show signs of a bright future ahead in transplantation; therefore, the award may be used as a device for career development.
  4. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  5. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  6. Physicians are ineligible for this award.
  7. An individual cannot receive the Distinguished Mid-Career Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. Two (2) letters of recommendation with signature on institutional letterhead. One of the letters must be written by the nominator.
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Distinguished Mid-Career Award

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AST Distinguished Early Career Award

Eligibility Criteria:
  1. Nominee must be an entry-level clinician or administrator in the field of transplantation, within the first seven (7) years of initial appointment.
  2. Nominee must show contributions to the field of transplantation since gaining independence and must show promise of continued contributions to the field; therefore, the award may be used as a mechanism for career development.
  3. Nominee's service to the AST will be taken into consideration during the review process.
  4. Nominee and nominator must be active members of the AST or apply for membership by the submission deadline with the expectation that membership will be active before the award review occurs. You can apply for membership here.
  5. Physicians are ineligible for this award.
  6. An individual cannot receive the Distinguished Early Career Award within five years of receiving a previous AST award.
Application requirements:
  1. Nomination application (including nominee’s institution, department, title, email, and phone number)
  2. Nominee’s CV
  3. Two (2) letters of recommendation with signature on institutional letterhead. One of the letters must be written by the nominator.
  4. THE APPLICATION CANNOT BE SAVED AS A DRAFT. Applicants must be prepared to complete the application entirely before submitting.

Submit a Nomination for the Distinguished Early Career Award

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