Distinguished Career Award

The Distinguished Career Award (DCA) was established to honor researchers who have made an outstanding and enduring contribution to research in the neurobiology of language. The recipient of the award is chosen from nominations put forward by the membership and presents a lecture at the Annual Meeting.

Eligibility

Candidates for this award should have been in the field 15 or more years and have made major theoretical and empirical contributions to our understanding of the neurobiology of language. This award recognizes senior scientists for their sustained and distinguished careers, including outstanding scientific contributions, leadership, and mentoring. The recipient must be able to attend the annual meeting to deliver a talk about their research.

Nominations

Nominations must be made by a current SNL member. Self-nominations are welcome. Nominations are open from April 7, 2026 and close on May 18, 2026.

Nominations are reviewed by an Award Committee consisting of SNL members. Members of the Award Committee and of the current SNL Board cannot serve as nominators.

Nominations should include:

• A CV
• A short (500 word) description of the nominee’s contributions to the neurobiology of language
• Two letters of recommendation (each no more than 2 pages long) addressing the nominee’s outstanding scientific contributions, leadership, and mentoring

The award is presented at the SNL Annual Meeting. It includes a prize of $1,000. In addition, the recipient receives free registration to the Annual Meeting where they deliver a talk and receive their award.

Award Schedule

Nominations Open: April 7, 2026
Nominations Close: May 18, 2026
Recipient Announced: June 27, 2026