Description: The new IEEE AP-S Field Award in bio-electromagnetics will recognize an individual or group who have demonstrated the profound impact of antennas and propagation in the development of bioelectromagnetic science, engineering, or technology for the good of humanity. This new Award does not conflict with any existing IEEE AP-S Field Awards but fills a gap in the recognition of research and development in bio-electromagnetics, a highly impactful and rapidly growing field. The award is named after Prof. Maria Stuchly, whose enduring legacy demonstrates the highest qualities in research, mentoring, and service.
Prof. Stuchly (IEEE Fellow) earned her PhD in 1970 from the Polish Academy of Sciences and spent 15 years at Health and Welfare Canada, advising on EM-field exposure standards while leading influential research. She was President of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, Founding Director of the University of Ottawa's Institute of Medical Engineering, a professor at the University of Victoria, and the first woman elected Vice President of URSI. She published over 180 journal papers and is remembered (she passed away in 2022) for her pioneering research, mentorship, advocacy for early-career women, and lasting service to the field. Administration Administered by the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society. Review of nominations and Recommendation by IEEE AP-S Award Committee.
Eligibility: The primary eligibility is significant technical contribution to the field of Antennas and Propagation with applications to bio-electromagnetics and over the career of the individual. Preference is given to AP-S members. Recipients of an AP-S Field Award shall be ineligible to receive another AP-S Field Award for the two subsequent calendar years, with the exception of IEEE AP-S service awards. Past or present recipients of the Distinguished Achievement Award are not eligible.
Eligibility and Selection process shall comply with procedures and regulation established in IEEE and Society/Council governing documents, particularly with IEEE Policy 4.4 on Awards Limitations. Previous award winners are not eligible for awards given for substantially the same achievements (per IEEE Policies 4.4: An individual shall receive only one award for a given achievement, unless the significance merits a higher award, which may be given in the following year or thereafter.)
Prize: Single annual award: $2,000 and a laminated plaque.
Frequency: Annual. Award will be given only if a suitable awardee is identified.
Funds: Funds for this award are provided by the IEEE AP Society. In years that the award will be given, the Society/Council's budget includes the required funds to support this award.
Nominee Solicitation: Nominations should comply with IEEE Policies and restrictions on awards. Nominees will be solicited through the annual call for nominations published in the IEEE AP Magazine, the IEEE AP-S Website, and direct email to the IEEE AP-S membership. Only people who are AP-S members at the time of the nomination may nominate a candidate. Self-nominations are not allowed.
In case of simultaneous nominations to various AP-S Field Awards (e.g. carried over nominations), the AP-S Awards Committee will select the most appropriate award.
Nominations may be retained for a period of 3 years only, at the discretion of the AP Awards committee. A letter to all nominators will go out after the selection to inform them whether their nomination was or was not successful and inform them whether the nomination will be retained for next year cycle.
Award Committee: This award will be administered by the AP-S Field Awards Committee which consists of a chair and from 6 to 15 members. The Chair of the Field Awards Committee and its members are appointed by the Awards Committee Chair in consultation with the AP-S President. The Field Awards Committee members will have a non-renewable, three-year term. A committee member could be selected to be chair, whereupon that person could serve an additional three years as Chair. The awardee selection shall be made by vote of the Field Awards Committee and then submitted to the AP-S AdCom for approval. A quorum of more than half of the committee (>50%) members is required to make a selection of an awardee.
Voting and meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order. The Committee Chair shall have no vote except if the vote is by secret ballot or unless the Chair's vote can change the outcome of the vote. Conflict of Interest concerns shall be disclosed and addressed in accordance with IEEE Policies 9.9 A, B. and C. Any real and perceived conflict of interest (COI) shall be avoided. Anyone with a COI shall recuse themselves from nominating, endorsing, discussing, and evaluating. Individuals serving on any board or committee involved at any stage of the recipient selection or approval process for an award shall be ineligible to receive, or act as a nominator or reference for that award.
Schedule: Nominations are solicited starting July each year. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 31. Evaluation of nominations is Jan-March or April, with Adcom recommendations expected in April of each year.
The award is presented at the annual symposium, which is normally July each year.
Selection/Basis for Judging: The award is based on a distinguished career in the field of Antennas and Propagation with applications to bioelectromagnetics. A distinguished career is recognized in general by a significant career period with distinguishing characteristics that typically include: evidence of teaching effectiveness over the career, an outstanding record of research contributions in bio-electromagnetics documented in archival publications, patents, industrial impact and other measures of impact; dedicated service to AP-S and the profession; contribution on the antennas and propagation field.
In accordance with IEEE Policy 9.27 IEEE Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, IEEE prohibits Discrimination against any person for any reason, for example, because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity, appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Giving awards based on non-discriminatory criteria such as IEEE Region, student status, professional focus, and low economic status is generally permissible.
Presentation: The award is presented at the annual flagship symposium of the AP-S, which is normally held in July each year. Publicity The IEEE AP-S Awards are published in the IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, IEEE AP Magazine, and IEEE AP-S Website and social media.
** Extracted from the IEEE TABARC Manual, June 2026 .