Erwin Felix Lewy Bertaut Prize

The European Crystallographic Association (ECA) and the European Neutron Scattering Association (ENSA) award a prize in memory of the scientific achievements of the late Erwin Felix Lewy Bertaut, which are cornerstones in both crystallography and neutron scattering.

The Bertaut Prize is awarded to a young scientist (up to 8 years after finishing her or his PhD thesis) having a clear affiliation with the ECA/ENSA region, in recognition of notable experimental, methodological or theoretical contributions to the investigation of matter using crystallographic or neutron scattering methods.

ECA and ENSA will award the Bertaut Prize in a regular alternating sequence, or as specified by the two associations based on mutual agreement.

A selection committee is in place for the evaluation of the Bertaut Prize nominations. The positions of chair and deputy chair of this selection committee will be filled by one member of the Executive Committee of the ECA and by one member of the ENSA Executive Board. The chair and deputy chair of the selection committee then appoint three to five other members of the committee that may remain in charge for subsequent editions of the Prize at a maximum of six years. Whichever of the two associations organizes the price ceremony, will hold the position of the chair of the selection committee for that year. The chairperson of the Selection Committee issues a call for nominations approximately eight months before the Bertaut Prize is awarded.

Nominations for the prize may be submitted by European scientists as individuals or on behalf of a group. Nominators may be (i) an ECA/ENSA Individual Member or (ii) any person from a national member of ECA/ENSA or (iii) any Corporate Associate Member (CAM). The nominator must ensure a signed acceptance of the nomination by the nominee.

Nominations should include the motivation for the award, a brief curriculum vitae of the nominee and a short list of major publications. Letters of support from authorities in the field are accepted.

Nominations for the Bertaut Prize will be treated in confidence and, although they will be acknowledged, there will be no further communication.

Nominations close approximately four months before the Bertaut Prize is awarded.

Nominations for the Bertaut Prize will be evaluated by the Selection Committee specified above. The Selection Committee considers the candidates, selects the winning candidate by a clear majority. The chair of the selection committee forwards the name of Bertaut Prize winner to the President of his or her association, who makes the announcement.

The Bertaut Prize ceremony is held at European conferences organized by ECA or ENSA. The two Associations will decide on an alternate timing of the venue of the prize ceremony and organize the call for nominations according to their respective schedules of conferences.

The candidate receives the Bertaut Prize at the following ECA/ENSA meeting and presents a lecture on this occasion.

You may also visit the Erwin Felix Lewy Bertaut Prize page at ENSA website

Nominations 2025

The European Crystallographic Association (ECA) and the European Neutron Scattering Association (ENSA) invite nominations for the Erwin Felix Levy Bertaut Prize 2025. The Prize is awarded in memory of the scientific achievements of the late Erwin Felix Lewy Bertaut, which are cornerstones in both crystallography and neutron scattering. Usually ENSA and ECA organize the Bertaut award sessions in regular alternating sequence during an ENSA or ECA congress.

Nominations for the Bertaut Prize may be submitted by European scientists as individuals (self-nomination accepted or on behalf of a group. Nominators may be (i) an ECA/ENSA Individual Member or (ii) any person from a National Member of ECA/ENSA or (iii) any Corporate Associate Member (CAM). The nominator must ensure a signed acceptance of the nomination by the nominee.

Nominations should include the motivation for the award, a brief curriculum vitae of the nominee and a short list of major publications. Letters of support from authorities in the field are accepted.

Nominations for the prize will be treated in confidence and, although they will be acknowledged, there will be no further communication.

The ECA Bertaut award ceremony will take place at the International Conference on Neutron Scattering in Copenhagen/Lund, Denmark/Sweden (6-10 July 2025). Candidates for this prize should have an affiliation with neutron scattering techniques.

A call for nominations for the Bertaut prize 2025 will be organized later this year by ENSA.

Nominations must be sent to the ENSA President.

Minimal information to be submitted in case of a normal nomination (i.e. not a self-nomination):

Nomination letter: maximum 1 page, which should include:
- overview of career milestones: scientific pioneering achievements, education
- nomination on behalf of whom: individual(s), university, national association, …
- justification of eligibility to Bertaut prize
CV of nominee (maximum 1 page):
- Academic degrees
- Academic and/or industrial career; appointments
- Roles in committees and/or in learned societies
Publication list (maximum 20, the most significant ones)
Signed acceptance of the nomination by the nominee

Minimal information to be submitted in case of a self-nomination:

Nomination letter: maximum 1 page, which should include:
- overview of career milestones: scientific pioneering achievements, education
- justification of eligibility to Bertaut prize
CV of nominee (maximum 1 page):
- Academic degrees
- Academic and/or industrial career; appointments
- Roles in committees and/or in learned societies
Publication list (maximum 10, the most significant ones)
Recommendation letters of two recognized experts in the same field (1 page maximum each)