Professor Richard F. W. Bader (1931–2012) was a distinguished Canadian theoretical chemist whose pioneering work transformed the understanding of chemical bonding. Best known as the founder of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), Bader developed a rigorous framework for describing the structure and properties of molecules using quantum mechanics and electron density. His approach challenged conventional ideas of chemical bonds by demonstrating how molecular structure could be derived directly from the topology of the electron density.
Professor Bader spent much of his academic career at McMaster University, where he established an internationally renowned research program. His influential book, Atoms in Molecules: A Quantum Theory, published in 1990, became a landmark work in theoretical and computational chemistry.
Bader received numerous honours for his contributions and inspired generations of researchers. His scientific legacy continues through QTAIM, which is widely used to investigate chemical bonding, molecular structure, and reactivity.
The Prize
- A framed Prize Diploma issued by the IUCr with signatures of the Commission Chair and the President of the IUCr, including a short citation explaining the basis upon which the prize has been awarded in relation to the contributions of the winner.
- A 45-minute Award Lecture at the upcoming Sagamore Conference.
- An “Invited Award Paper” in one of the IUCr journals, to highlight the work of the winner.
- Waiver of the registration fee for the upcoming Sagamore Conference.
Eligibility
- This prize is open to any person regardless of national origin, gender, age, etc.
- The nominee should be an “established scientist”, typically at the associate or full professor level (or equivalent), or a senior scientist in government or industry.
- Self-nomination or nomination by others is accepted.
- Topics considered for this award fall under “Quantum Crystallography” broadly defined. Specifically, this includes, but is not necessarily limited to, experimental and theoretical determination and analysis of the charge, spin, or momentum densities in crystals and/or in isolated molecules, quantum chemical topology, Bader’s Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), experimentally constrained wavefunction or density matrices, etc., with emphasis that could range over fundamental aspects, method development, and/or applications.
Nomination guidelines & procedures
- A cover nomination letter of at most 3 pages, explaining the exceptional significance and impact of the nominee’s research in the context of this award. The broad impact, originality, and quality of the work must be clearly described. The cover letter should address both historical (older, long-term) contributions by the nominee and also their recent contributions.
- A CV of the nominee with a full list of publications.
- Five sample publications that represent the best work by the candidate.
- Up to a maximum of two additional letters of support from recognized scientists in the field.
- All the above material should be sent directly under confidential cover to the Chair of the Commission on Quantum Crystallography, Associate Professor Philip Nakashima (philip.Nakashima@monash.edu), as one pdf file of a reasonable (email-able) size.
- It is the responsibility of the nominator to ensure that the whole package including the letters of support are received by the 30th November 2026 DEADLINE.