The Climate Specialty Group of the AAG seeks paper submissions for the CSG "John Russell Mather" Paper of the Year Award (POTY). As a result of a generous donation, there is now a cash prize of $250 awarded to the winner. Candidates must be CSG dues -paying members in the year of the competition, and be first author on co-or multi-authored papers. The paper must be accepted and/or published by a peer -reviewed technical journal (no books or book chapters). The paper should be accepted and/or published this calendar year.

Judging criteria favors papers that represent a significant contribution to climate science, or papers utilizing innovative research approaches, analyses, and/or techniques. Only one award is granted each year (no awards given in some years). "Honorable mentions" may also be granted to significant papers that do not win the "Best Paper" award. Annual winners receive a commemorative plaque and a letter of citation, in addition to the cash award; honorable mention winners receive a letter of citation. The winning author is required to present the work in a special plenary-type session at the following year's annual meeting (approximately one-hour presentation followed by a panel discussion). Further, an announcement will be made at the CSG Business Meeting by the Awards Committee. The winner will be recognized at the AAG awards luncheon (CSG sponsors cost for attending luncheon). Winners are then ineligible for the award for the following five years. All submitted papers will be judged by the CSG POTY Competition Committee which is comprised of CSG Lifetime Achievement Award winners and past "Paper of the Year" award winners.

To enter the competition, submit five copies (reprints or galleys) of a single paper by November 3, 2006 to Dagmar Budikova, CSG Honor Director, dbudiko@ilstu.edu , Department of Geography -Geology, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790-4400.