The John P. McGovern Science and Society Award Grant

The John P. McGovern Science and Society Award, established in 1984, honors scientists and engineers whose work extends beyond research to impact society positively. Named after John P. McGovern, founder of the McGovern Allergy Clinic, the award encourages communication of science and recognizes diverse contributions to the field. Each recipient receives a $15,000 honorarium and a commemorative medal, highlighting their commitment to science and society at large.

John P. McGovern 1921-2007
Founder of the renowned McGovern Allergy Clinic in Houston, John P. McGovern served terms on the Board of Directors of Sigma Xi and on several of the Society’s national committees. He received his B.S. and M.D. degrees at Duke University and conducted his postgraduate training at Yale-New Haven Medical Center, McGuire Hospital in Richmond and Duke. A noted physician, researcher, scholar, teacher and lecturer, he was a prime organizer and later president of the prestigious American Osler Society, as well as the American Association of Certified Allergists. His many honors included the Distinguished Award of Merit and the Fellow Distinguished Award of the American College of Allergists, the international Gold Medal Award for outstanding and meritorious achievements in the field of pediatric allergy and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Duke University School of Medicine. He served as chairman of the Board of Regents of the National Library of Medicine and as editor, associate editor or on the editorial boards of 18 medical journals and publications series. The Sigma Xi award that bears his name was endowed by the John P. McGovern Foundation.
Past recipients of this award represent a broad spectrum of individuals whose varied activities supported research, the communication of science and the impact of science on society.
The award carries an honorarium of $15,000, a commemorative medal and the opportunity to make remarks at the Society's Annual Meeting or other suitable event.