Selecting the Finalists and Winner of the Indianapolis Prize is an intense two-step judging structure undertaken by the Prize Nominating Committee and Jury. Nominating an individual is simple and includes a 500-word narrative about the individual along with two to four letters of support. All applications will be reviewed for appropriateness and completeness. A staff member will then contact the applicant and request additional documentation including a CV and supporting materials. Nominations are closed for the 2020 Indianapolis Prize. Stay tuned for the announcement of nominees this fall.
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:
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.
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:
*Nominating Committee and Jury members change each Prize cycle.
Bethanie Danko, Presidential Spouse & University Relations Associate, Butler University
Carlos Magdalena, Science and Horticulture Researcher, Living Collections, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Jorgelina Marino, DPhil, Research Fellow, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Zoology Department, University of Oxford
L. Scott Mills, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Research for Global Change and Sustainability Professor of Wildlife Biology, University of Montana
Jeffry S. Proudfoot, DVM, Vice President Veterinary Science, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
John Sandlos, Ph.D., Professor, Department of History, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Wes Sechrest, Ph.D., Chief Scientist and CEO, Global Wildlife Conservation
Curt Vander Meer, CEO, Endangered Species Chocolate
Richard P. Young, Ph.D., Head of Conservation Knowledge, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Andrew Balmford, FRS, Professor of Conservation Science, University of Cambridge
Michael W. Beck, Ph.D., Research Professor-Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz
Lynn G. Dolnick, Ph.D., Former Associate Director of Exhibits and Outreach, Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Melynne Klaus, Director, Christel DeHaan Family Foundation
Hugh P. Possingham, FNAS, FAA, Professor, University of Queensland and Chief Scientist, The Nature Conservancy
Cristián Samper, Ph.D., President & CEO, Wildlife Conservation Society
Kaddu K. Sebunya, CEO, African Wildlife Foundation
Myrta J. Pulliam, Director, Special Projects, Indy Star
William Street, Senior Vice President of Life Sciences, Education and Conservation, Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc.
Disclaimer of Responsibility, Rejection of Applications, Disqualification. The Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. is not responsible for lost, late, non-delivered, or misdirected mail, e-mail, or communications malfunctions of any kind in the administration of the Indianapolis Prize or for the failure of any application to be received by the Indianapolis Zoo on account of postal or courier delays or losses, technical problems, or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination thereof. The Applicant acknowledges and accepts that the Indianapolis Zoo reserves the absolute right to reject any late or incomplete application. Likewise, if the Applicant or the Nominating Party omits any material fact on the application form or in any other submitted materials, or if Applicant engages in immoral, improper, unseemly or illegal behavior, or any behavior adverse to the Indianapolis Zoo or the other Applicants, whether intentional or unintentional, the Applicant may be disqualified at any point in the process at the Indianapolis Zoo’s sole discretion. If any disqualifying information or provision of false information is discover.