Pierre Agostini Prize
Honoring exceptional scholarly and artistic achievement
The Pierre Agostini Prize was established to memorialize Professor Agostini’s research achievements that led to him winning the Nobel Prize in Physics (2023) and to highlight Ohio State’s commitment to the promotion of innovative and consequential research and creative expression.
The Agostini Prize, awarded to only one faculty member annually, is the university’s most prestigious award for scholarly and artistic achievement. It is given to a faculty member whose research or creative work is recognized by their peers to be so groundbreaking and influential that it deserves to be called “world class” and would typically be recognized through national or international awards. It recognizes ground-breaking work that decisively contributes to the progress of one or more fields or changes that field’s direction. The achievement recognized by the Agostini Prize may be of foundational nature for the field(s) of research from which it emerged or stand out for its exceptional contributions in addressing urgent societal issues. The work may have developed in segments over an extended period, or it may be a singular, revolutionary contribution.
The Agostini Prize includes an award of $50,000, split evenly into a cash award and a research budget.
Nomination and Selection
The nomination period will open Monday, September 21 for the 2027 Agostini Prize. Colleges, through the dean or representative, shall notify ERIK of its intended nominee(s) by December 4, 2026, by email to erik@osu.edu. A confirmation email will be sent to the dean or designated representative upon receipt. The final nomination package is due January 15 through the university’s limited submission portal. This two-stage process enables ERIK to assemble a selection committee that reflects the diversity of the nomination pool. It also ensures that external letters are requested only for candidates who will ultimately be nominated by their college.
Each college may nominate up to three faculty members in good standing with the college and university and who has worked at Ohio State for at least four years. Nominations will be reviewed and ranked by a faculty committee, and the ERIK vice president for research will make the final decision for the awardee.
Awardee
Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier
Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier, Distinguished University Professor and Vernal Riffe Professor of Political Science at The Ohio State University, has been named the 2026 recipient of Ohio State’s Pierre Agostini Prize. The prize recognizes Box-Steffensmeier’s work advancing political methodology and the tools researchers use to study politics. Her interdisciplinary approach brings together mathematics, statistics and political science to examine political institutions, public opinion, elections, courts and political behavior.
“The Pierre Agostini Prize is a distinguished recognition of research excellence, and Professor Box-Steffensmeier is a truly deserving recipient,” said John M. Horack, vice president for Research. “Her groundbreaking scholarship has advanced our understanding of political behavior and methodology in profound ways, and this honor is a testament to both her individual excellence and the transformative influence of her research.”
Ohio State Board of Trustees recognition
View the gallery of images from the Board of Trustees meeting recognizing Box-Steffensmeier's extraordinary work.
The Journey in her own words
Hear Janet Box-Steffensmeier describe her career trajectory and what the Agostini prize means to her.
Give good wishes
Celebrate with ERIK in our congratulations to the 2026 Pierre Agostin Prize awardee.
Awardee
Liang-Shih Fan
Liang-Shih Fan, Distinguished University Professor and C. John Easton Professor in Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, is the first recipient of the Pierre Agostini Prize at Ohio State. Fan’s research focuses on creating cleaner, more efficient ways to produce energy, fuels and chemicals while reducing pollution. One of his most important innovations is a process called chemical looping, which allows fossil fuels, biomass or plastic wastes to be used for producing energy, fuels and chemicals without releasing harmful carbon dioxide into the air. Instead of burning fuel in the traditional way, his method uses special metal oxide particles to transfer oxygen, which helps generate energy while capturing the carbon dioxide before it escapes.
“I am delighted that Professor Fan is the recipient of this honor. His work is transformative and offers the opportunity to improve our lives,” said Pierre Agostini, the award’s namesake. “I hope this award will continue to inspire researchers at Ohio State to pursue excellence and innovation.”
Pierre Agostini in the News
Ohio State’s Agostini wins Nobel Prize in Physics
Agostini and colleagues created techniques to capture electrons using pulses of light that last just an attosecond – one quintillionth of a second.
Visit the lab pushing Nobel work to the next level
At its most basic, a chunk of what the Agostini-DiMauro group does is shoot lasers into vacuum tubes to reveal how energy and matter work.
Ohio State celebrates Nobel Laureate Pierre Agostini in Columbus
On a breezy spring day, Pierre Agostini was welcomed back to the Columbus campus with a crowd of more than 200 people.