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IEEE STUART R. WENHAM YOUNG PROFESSIONAL AWARD

Nomination deadlineJanuary 24, 2027
Award$2,000 + registration + plaque

About the Award

The IEEE Stuart R. Wenham Young Professional Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the science and technology of photovoltaic energy conversion, including work on PV materials, devices, modules and/or systems, and who show significant promise as leaders in the field. It is given annually at the PVSC, and was renamed in honor of Stuart Wenham in recognition of his profound contributions to photovoltaics and in memory of his great scholarship and friendship.

Award package: a $2,000 USD monetary award, complimentary conference registration, a plaque and recognition at the PVSC Opening Ceremony. The awardee also gives an honorary 30-minute talk during a regular session in their technical track.

Rules & Eligibility

  • Nominee must be a young scientist or engineer with significant contributions to photovoltaic energy conversion (PV materials, devices, modules and/or systems).
  • Relative to the nomination deadline, the nominee received their first post-secondary (Bachelor’s) degree within the past 15 years or their terminal degree within the past 10 years, whichever is longer.
  • Nominees do not need to be members of IEEE or EDS.
  • Nominees from any country and institution are eligible.
  • Nominees are expected to have prior contributions to the PVSC.
  • Previous recipients of the Young Professional Award are not eligible.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • Nominations do not roll over automatically, but may be re-submitted while the nominee is still eligible, with supplements reflecting their latest work.
  • Awards subcommittee members may be nominated or nominate colleagues, but then recuse themselves from subcommittee duties.
  • The award must be received in person at the PVSC; no award is made in absentia except in extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the conference chair.

Nomination Package

Assemble the entire package as a single PDF (10 pages maximum), in this order:

  1. Nomination Summary Form (2 pages)Completed and signed. Download the form.
  2. Nominator Statement (2-page limit)Supporting the nominee’s suitability with respect to the innovative and creative nature of their work, its significance to the broader PV community, previous contributions to the PVSC, and potential as a future leader.
  3. Curriculum vitae (2-page limit)
  4. Key publications and patents (1-page limit)Publications, patents and/or other technical literature.
  5. Letters of support (up to 3)Each up to 1 page, on letterhead and signed by the endorser, referring to the specific qualifications that make the nominee best suited for the award.

Submit a nomination

Email the nomination package to Margaux Toral at [email protected].

Questions about the award?

Email Allen Barnett at [email protected].

Previous Recipients

  • 2026Silvana Ovaitt
  • 2025Heping Shen
  • 2024Michael Saliba
  • 2023Yifeng Chen
  • 2022Marta Victoria
  • 2021Sam Stranks
  • 2020Brett Hallam
  • 2019Zachary Holman
  • 2018Adele Tamboli
  • 2017Weiwei Deng
  • 2016Bram Hoex
  • 2015Henry Snaith
  • 2014Oliver Schultz-Wittman