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On an annual basis the American Real Estate Society recognizes and celebrates the research and service contributions of both academic and practitioner members. I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting nominations for the 2026 ARES Recognition Awards.

The Michael J. Seiler Behavioral Research Commendation due to it's unique nature requires nominations by November 1, 2025, and allows for self-nomination.

Please provide all other award nominations no later than February 1, 2026. All nominations must be made through the below online nomination form. Self-nominations and e-mail nominations will NOT be accepted.

Nominations must be accompanied by the following:

• Nomination letter: A PDF letter of nomination in support of the nominee. The letter will describe the specific reasons the nominee is deserving of the award. It is recommended that separate nomination letters for the candidate be written and uploaded.
• Nominee’s vita: The letter of nomination must be accompanied by a PDF of the nominee’s vita and/or a summary of the nominee’s accomplishments.

Award categories:

The Michael J. Seiler Behavioral Research Commendation recognizes a person who has published a substantial body of behavioral related research in real estate OR real estate adjacent topics in top journals, spanning at least ten years, that innovates and greatly extends behavioral research knowledge. The award is designed to encourage more research in Behavioral Real Estate, seemingly from those currently outside the field. This award allows self-nominations.

Due to the nature of this award nominations are required by November 1. See more details here.

The Emeriti Award is for ARES members who have performed significant ARES appointed or elected duties, and/or been major supporters over the years, and should be recognized for their significant past leadership contributions by awarding them ARES Emeriti status. Award nominations are required by January 15, 2026. See more details here.

The Graaskamp Award recognizes extraordinary iconoclastic thought and/or action throughout a person’s career in the development of a multi-disciplinary philosophy of real estate. This award is granted to a scholar in recognition of a research perspective or service to the discipline that breaks significantly from what was widely accepted or done previously in the real estate discipline. The Graaskamp Award is decided by a vote of no less than two-thirds [66%] of the five voting members of ARES Executive Committee, plus the previous four recipients of the award who are current members of ARES. The Graaskamp Award is to be given annually.

The David Ricardo Medal recognizes a scholar who has created a significant body of published research in academic and refereed professional journals, spanning at least two decades, that includes multiple important, influential writings in journals and/or books. This award represents the highest recognition by ARES of scholarly work in the real estate discipline. The honoree shall be a recognized thought leader, as evidenced by extensive citations of her/his scholarly research in recognized textbooks, treatises and articles. The recipient shall have profoundly influenced the research directions, teaching, public policy, and/or practice of the real estate discipline. The David Ricardo Medal is decided by a vote of no less than two-thirds [66%] of the five voting members of ARES Executive Committee, plus the previous four recipients of the award who are current members of ARES. The David Ricardo Medal is to be given annually or less frequently depending on receipt of qualified nominations.

The Richard Ratcliff Award recognizes a scholar who has created a significant single innovative research contribution that extends the real estate discipline, introduces a new paradigm, and pushes the envelope” of real estate knowledge. This award may recognize an individual scholar for a single innovative writing whether it be a presented paper, article, book or research report; or this award may recognize an individual scholar for an innovative idea or paradigm or several innovative ideas presented in multiple research contributions over time. This award is decided by a vote of no less than three-fifths [60%] of the five voting members of ARES Executive Committee, and is to given annually or less frequently depending upon receipt of qualified nominations.

The Kinnard Scholar Award recognizes an outstanding real estate scholar early in their academic career based upon years of age or years following receipt of the Ph.D. Generally the award recipient is under the age of 40 and/or has less than 10 years in academia. This award might recognize a single research work product, but more likely would acknowledge work that is reflected in multiple publications or outstanding research contributions in the early years of a scholar’s career. This award is decided by a vote of no less than three-fifths [60%] of the five voting members of ARES Executive Committee, and is to given annually or less frequently depending upon receipt of qualified nominations.

The Practitioner-Scholar Award recognizes the contributions by a practitioner without a full time academic position, who has significantly contributed to the body of real estate knowledge and who is highly regarded by academic scholars, and whose work has been adopted and used by practitioners, and who has not otherwise received one of the aforementioned ARES Recognition Awards. Receipt of the Practitioner-Scholar Award does not preclude the honoree from receiving other ARES Recognition Awards after receipt of the Practitioner-Scholar Award. The Practitioner-Scholar Award is decided by a majority vote of the five voting members of ARES Executive Committee, plus the previous four recipients of the award who are current members of ARES. The Practitioner-Scholar Award is to be given annually or less frequently depending on receipt of qualified nominations; on rare occasion, with a unanimous vote, two nominees may receive the award in a single year.

The Pioneer Award recognizes and honors academics, scholars and/or practitioners who are (1) at the end of their career and retiring, and (2) have made a lasting contribution some kind to real estate education and/or research during their career. A simple majority of the voting members of ARES Executive Committee decides the award. The award may be given to more than one person annually, or less frequently, depending upon receipt of qualified nominations.

The ARES Distinguished Service Award honors academics, scholars and/or practitioners who have diligently served the American Real Estate Society over a decade or more, but may never have been president. A simple majority of the voting members of the ARES Executive Committee decides the award. This award is to be given annually or less frequently depending upon receipt of qualified nominations.

The Education Award recognizes an educator who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of real estate education through innovative teaching methodology, an influential textbook, and/or advancing real estate education around the world. This award may recognize an individual educator for a single outstanding contribution or as recognition for his or her influence of real estate education.

Nominate Here