The Prince Albert I Medal

In partnership with the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans, Prince Rainier of Monaco has established the Prince Albert I Medal in the physical and chemical sciences of the oceans. This medal is named in honor of the late Prince Albert I of Monaco who, in 1919, organized the Oceanography Section of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. He also served as first president of that section. The medal is awarded biannually by IAPSO at its Assemblies. Recipients of the medal have been

• 2001 Dr. Walter Munk
• 2003 Dr. Klaus Wyrtki
• 2005 Prof. Dr. Friedrich Schott
• 2007 Dr. Russ Davis

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

Nominations may be submitted at any time to the Secretary General of IAPSO. Nominations must reach the Secretary General not later than 9 months prior to an Assembly to be considered for that year's medal. Nominations of well qualified candidates may be carried forward for consideration for future awards. The person accepting the medal is expected to deliver a Prince Albert I lecture on an oceanographic subject of his or her choosing at the Assembly where the medal is presented. IAPSO will provide travel expenses for that purpose.

The following requirements for nominations must be adhered to:

1. The nomination must be for significant work in the physical and chemical sciences of the oceans, as defined in the IAPSO Statutes and By- Laws, that has international relevance. Work in other scientific areas will not be considered and should not be cited.
2. IAPSO does not accept self nominations. For purposes of definition, nominations solicited by a nominee are considered self nominations.
3. Nominations must be from individuals who, themselves, are well qualified in the physical and chemical sciences of the oceans; and who are capable of judging the merits of work in that area.
4. Nominations must be at arms length, i.e., they must be from individuals who are not directly employed by the nominee, and not otherwise engaged in research projects under the general direction of the nominee.
5. Nominations should not exceed two pages and should provide a summary statement of the significant accomplishments of the nominee, and a listing of the nominee's more important publications related to the accomplishments being cited. Nominators are responsible for extracting and editing material used for the nomination. Excessively long attachments may be discarded by the Awards Committee.
6. Nominations must be signed by the nominator, and must indicate the present position and address of the nominator. If retired, indicate the position retired from and the year of retirement. Nominations may be submitted by e-mail, but a hard copy of the nomination, bearing the nominator's signature, must be mailed or Faxed to the IAPSO Secretary General.

Three medals have so far been awarded Professor Walter Munk, 2001 Professor Klaus Wyrtki, 2003 Professor Friedrich Schott, 2005	The International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO) has a long and distinguished history, starting in 1919, the year when the Association was established thanks to the vision and passion for the oceans of His Most Serene Highness Prince Albert I of Monaco. On 28 July 1919, in fact, the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) was founded in Brussels, Belgium. At that meeting, a section for Physical Oceanography was formed with Prince Albert I as its first President. Since then, the Physical Oceanography section of IUGG has evolved, becoming first the Association for Physical Oceanography in 1929; the International Association of Physical Oceanography in 1945; and finally IAPSO in 1967.
	In September 2000, Paola Malanotte-Rizzoli, then the IAPSO President, wrote to HMSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco proposing the establishment of an award named for Prince Albert I to recognize his pioneering and extraordinary contributions to, and support of, Physical Oceanography. Prince Rainier III's answer was enthusiastic; he offered to present a most eminent scientist with the "Medal for Excellence in the Physical Sciences of the Oceans - IAPSO - Foundation Rainier III", engraved with this citation on one side and with the name of the laureate on the other. An official protocol was established and ratified by the Prince in February 2001. The Medal is awarded to a scientist who has made outstanding contributions to the enhancement and advancement of the physical and/or chemical sciences of the oceans. It is offered at every IAPSO General Assembly, every other year, to a most prominent scientist chosen by a specially appointed IAPSO Award Committee.
	On 4 July 2007 during the IAPSO G. A., the fourth medal will be awarded to Professor Russ Davis
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