Each year, AMERSA recognizes members of the AMERSA community for their exceptional contributions to the field of substance use and addiction science, including as researchers, mentors, and educators, and for service to AMERSA.
The award winners will be announced in April and recognized during the plenary sessions of the conference proceedings in November.
Submissions for the 2025 awards nominations are now closed.
Nominations may be made through the award nomination form. Please note that the individual who nominates the selected awardee will be asked to present the award during the 2025 conference proceedings.
AMERSA Awards
New Investigator Educator AwardThis award will be given to an AMERSA member who is at an early stage in his/her career, has made significant contributions to substance use education and/or research, and has demonstrated the potential for future achievements in the field. The recipient must have completed a doctoral level degree, and is eligible for nomination within seven years of completing that training or a post-degree advanced training program (e.g. clinical or research fellowship) in any health discipline. An exception to the timing of training will be made in order to consider an investigator/educator who is at a later career stage, yet new to the substance use field and meets the other award criteria. The award includes conference registration and a commemorative plaque.
500 Word Max.
Nominations are welcome from AMERSA members and consist of a nomination letter including a description of how the nominee has assisted him/her in his/her teaching and/or research achievements in substance use and helped to advance his/her academic career. The letter should be specific and reference any abstracts, workshops, publications or other presentations in his/her CV. The nominator should include a description of how the nominee has provided career guidance assistance to him/her. The award includes conference registration and a commemorative plaque.
500 Word Max.
Given to an individual who has made important contributions to substance use education and research. Nominations are welcome from AMERSA members and should consist of a nomination letter as to why this individual should be considered for the award and the nominee’s CV. *The John P. McGovern Award winner will be required to deliver a 30-minute plenary talk at the annual conference. The award includes a $500 travel stipend, one night hotel, conference registration and a commemorative plaque.
500 Word Max.
Given to an individual who has had a significant impact on the field of alcohol and substance use, particularly with regards to women’s issues, substance use education and recovery. Nominations are welcome from AMERSA members and should consist of a nomination letter as to why this individual should be considered for the award and the nominee’s CV. *The Betty Ford Award winner will be required to deliver a 30-minute plenary talk at the annual conference. The award includes a $500 travel stipend, one night hotel, conference registration and a commemorative plaque.
500 Word Max.
The David C. Lewis, MD AMERSA Service Award was established in 2017 to honor Dr. Lewis’ tremendous contributions to the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA). The Award symbolizes the highest level of service to the association. This award will be given to an AMERSA member for outstanding service to AMERSA and its mission to improve health and well-being through interdisciplinary leadership in substance use education, research, clinical care and policy. Nominations are welcome from AMERSA members and should consist of a nomination letter as to why this individual should be considered for the award and the nominee’s CV. The award includes conference registration and a commemorative plaque.
500 Word Max.
1Lewis, D., & Schnoll, S. H. (2018). Commentary on the 40th anniversary of AMERSA: AMERSA at 40: How it all began and how it survived. Substance Abuse, 39(2), 134-138.
The Marianne Marcus Nursing Award was established in 2017 to honor Dr. Marcus for her long-term contributions to the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA). Prior to her retirement from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and appointment as Professor Emerita in 2014, Marianne Marcus, EdD, RN, FAAN served as Chair of the Department of Nursing Systems, Director of the Master’s of Nursing Education degree track, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Education and Research, and was the John P. McGovern Distinguished Professor of Addiction Nursing. Her research focused on recovery from substance use disorders and community-based participatory prevention programs, specifically mindfulness-based stress reduction as an adjunct to therapeutic community programs.
In honor of her long-term contributions to the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA), the Marianne Marcus Award will be given to a Registered Nurse who is a first-time AMERSA Conference attendee and who is committed to clinical practice, research, policy development and/ or education related to substance use disorders. The award will provide a full conference registration, one-year AMERSA membership, hotel accommodations and up to $500 in travel expenses. Nominations should consist of a nomination letter as to why this individual should be considered for the award and the nominee’s CV. Self-nominations are welcome.