The National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites nominations for the annual Matilda White Riley Behavioral and Social Sciences Honors, a celebration of Dr. Matilda White Riley’s pioneering work. As a behavioral and social sciences visionary, Dr. Riley’s legacy inspires innovative research that improves health and well-being.
Honoring an Outstanding Social-Behavioral Scientist
Each year, a social-behavioral scientist is selected as the Distinguished Lecturer for this prestigious event. This keynote address showcases transformative research that reflects Dr. Riley’s vision for advancing the field.
- Contact information and professional webpage(s) of the nominee
- A one-page summary detailing how the nominee’s research aligns with Dr. Riley’s principles
- The nominee’s CV or NIH biosketch
What Makes a Great Nominee?
Ideal candidates have made significant strides in behavioral and social sciences, contributing to NIH’s mission by:
- Broadening our understanding of health and quality of life
- Producing impactful research that benefits individuals and communities
- Investigating interactions between genetic, environmental, and social factors
- Demonstrating the role of behavioral and social elements in physical health and policy-making
- Adopting a life course perspective in their research
- Developing innovative theories and methodologies to advance the field
NIH funding is not a requirement for nominees. The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) values diversity and inclusivity in selecting speakers and programming for this event.
Recognizing Emerging Talent Through Research
The Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Paper Competition is another highlight of this honors program. This initiative celebrates emerging researchers whose work embodies Dr. Riley’s commitment to excellence in health-related behavioral and social sciences.
Submission Guidelines for the ESI Competition
- Papers must be original research published within the last year, with the ESI as the lead author.
- NIH will invite selected authors to present their findings during the event.
- Submit applications by February 14, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET. For inquiries, contact Lauren Fordyce at lauren.fordyce@nih.gov.
Visit the NIH news page for more information on how to submit nominations.
