Awards Information
The Awards Committee of CNIRS is requesting nominations and submissions for four award categories:
(1) The Gerald S. Birth Award for outstanding innovation in diffuse reflection or diffuse transmission spectroscopy is conferred and sponsored by CNIRS in memory of Gerald Birth. The late Dr. Birth was the founder of the IDRC, also sponsored by CNIRS. He made many contributions to instrument technology related to diffuse reflectance. This award recognizes a specific accomplishment in advancing the Art and Science of Near Infrared Spectroscopy by a research scientist. All scientists performing research in Diffuse Reflection Spectroscopy or in Diffuse Transmission Spectroscopy in the visible, near-infrared (NIR) or mid-IR regions are eligible for the award. The award-winning work must have been published between 01-Jan-2024 and 31-Dec-2025. The awardee (practicing or retired) may be (or have been) affiliated with industry, academia, government, or have another suitable affiliation. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers are not eligible. The awardee must be able to present the award-winning work during the IDRC Conference. The award entails an honorarium of $2000. The Birth Award is granted at the sole discretion of the CNIRS and the scientific review panel and may not be awarded if deemed appropriate.
(2) The Young Scientist Award, sponsored by Avian Technologies LLC, recognizes excellence in diffuse reflectance research performed by currently enrolled graduate and post-doctoral students. The $750 prize will be awarded during the IDRC where the awardee will present the work being recognized. Students should submit their nomination package with a description of the research, impact to the field, and innovation statement written by the candidate (2 pages max), a letter of support by the academic adviser (1 page) and publication(s) (if applicable).
(3) Honorary Membership in CNIRS. Honorary Members are persons who have made exceptional contributions to NIR spectroscopy and have been voted into their membership by the Governing Board of CNIRS. No more than two Honorary Members can be named in any fiscal year. Nominations and supporting documentation are to be submitted to the Awards Committee.
Nominations and supporting material, from within the international spectroscopy community at large, for any of the above three awards should be sent toidrc.awards@cnirs.org. The deadline for all nomination materials to reach the Awards Committees is 03-April-2026. Awardees will be announced by 19-May-2026
(4) Poster Awards: The conference will provide attendees with the opportunity to present posters throughout the week. To be eligible for the awards, students and professionals (including post-doctoral students) must have their poster abstracts submitted by July 5, 2026. The award committee will consider all posters that relate to the study of diffuse reflectance. The IDRC will award $100 for the ‘best' poster, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place in the student and in the professional categories.
Birth Award Winners