Judging & Nominations

Judging Process

Nomination Criteria
Thank you for your interest in the Indianapolis Prize. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. The following information details the criteria needed to nominate an individual.

To be nominated, applicants must have accomplished an individual achievement or series of achievements that have resulted in a demonstrable positive impact on an animal species or group of species that is likely to improve long-term sustainability. The impact of achievements under consideration must be clearly recognizable when evaluated by the Nominating Committee and Jury*.

Consideration will be given to:
- The challenges overcome by the individual in the pursuit of his or her achievement.
- The significance of the achievement or achievements in the conservation of an animal species or multiple species.
- The measurable outcomes resulting from the individual’s work.
- The quality of any science involved.
- The number of years the individual has dedicated to the aspect of conservation work under evaluation. This includes consideration of any fieldwork which the individual has participated in or led, although fieldwork is not a specified requirement. Please note that length of career is not the primary criteria.
- The unselfish dedication to conservation work that the individual has demonstrated throughout his or her career.
- Any cooperation the individual has demonstrated with zoological and other like-minded conservation organizations, particularly those for which the individual does not work.
Restrictions
Nominations are open to anyone with knowledge of an individual whose work has had a great impact upon a species or group of species that can be measured over time. Their work must demonstrate the improvement in long-term sustainability was the result of direct and specific actions of the applicant.
- Applicants must be individual living persons, not an organization, program or group of individuals.
- If selected as the Winner of the Indianapolis Prize, the individual must agree to participate in activities scheduled to take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, between Sept. 7-19, 2020. Transportation and lodging will be covered by the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
- If selected as one of the five (5) Indianapolis Prize Finalists, the individual must agree to participate in activities scheduled to take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, between Sept. 9-13, 2020. Transportation and lodging will be covered by the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
- Applicants must agree that, if selected as a Winner or Finalist, they will reasonably assist in the obtaining of necessary permissions to use materials reflective of their work on Indianapolis Zoo grounds, and will assist as necessary in the production of media and materials required to present a synopsis of their work at the Indianapolis Prize Gala.
- Applicants may not be employees, Board Members, or volunteer staff of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Immediate family members or significant others of the Nominating Committee, Jury, Indianapolis Zoological Society employees, Board Members, and volunteer staff are also ineligible.
- A Nominee is limited to being named a Finalist three times during the four most recent Prize cycles. When the maximum has been reached, he or she may not be nominated for the next two consecutive Prize cycles.
Nominating Committee & Jury
The Indianapolis Prize Nominating Committee and Jury each consist of nine different individuals, from across the globe, who are representative of the scientific and conservation sector, the Indianapolis community and the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.

At the close of the nomination period, all applications are reviewed for completeness and qualification requirements by the Indianapolis Prize Steering Committee. Once the applicant list is final the Nominating Committee begins the first round of discussion.

In closed deliberation, Nomination Committee members have roughly three months to thoughtfully review the materials and determine the six individuals who will advance to the level of Finalist. Once chosen the Jury then analyses the six Finalists’ work, in a second closed deliberation spanning three months, to select the award recipient.

The Nominating Committee and the Jury utilize the following criteria to give thorough consideration to the nominee’s scientific impact and sustainable conservation methods:
- The significance of an achievement or achievements in the conservation of an animal species or multiple species;
- The measurable outcomes resulting from the Nominee’s work;
- The quality of science involved;
- The number of years the individual has dedicated to the aspect of conservation work under evaluation;
- The unselfish dedication to conservation work that the individual has shown throughout his or her career;
- The spirit of cooperation the individual has demonstrated with zoological and other like-minded conservation institutions, especially those not directly affiliated with any organization for which the Nominee works.
*Nominating Committee and Jury members change each Prize cycle.

The nomination period for the 2020 Indianapolis Prize has concluded. Stay tuned for the announcement this fall.