This APS Users' Executive Committee (APS UEC) award recognizes beamline scientists who have made significant scientific contributions in their area of research or instrumentation development and have promoted the user community in this area. The award was renamed in 2017 in honor of the late Gopal K. Shenoy, one of the key players in the inception of the APS and a world renown materials scientist. Gopal was always a huge supporter of the facility's scientists and truly enjoyed working with them. 

This award is granted annually to an active APS beamline scientist (including beamline scientists from collaborative access teams) regardless of employer or rank. It may recognize a career of meaningful sustained contribution, a body of recent important work, a single work of particular importance, or a combination of these accomplishment. Nominees must be full-time beamline scientists at the Advanced Photon Source who spend at least half of their time on user operations or instrument development. Any APS user may submit a nomination. A nomination is valid for 2 years.

The award consists of a $1000 prize, an award plaque, and a name plate on the plaque in the APS Atrium. The awardee is recognized during the APS Plenary Session. A complete nomination packet includes the following:

• 1-2 page (max) CV of the nominee
• 1-2 page (max) nomination letter that includes two DOIs or URLs for publications. The nomination letter should integratively review the nominee’s accomplishments and evaluate his/her scientific and/or instrumentation contribution(s) in terms of substance, quality, originality, and impact.