The Leo Szilard Lectureship Award (originally called the Leo Szilard Award)[1] is given annually by the American Physical Society (APS) for "outstanding accomplishments by physicists in promoting the use of physics for the benefit of society".

[1][3] "In the year's of Szilard's life and activity it became clearer than ever before how great the responsibility of scientists is to the society.

And, to a large extent, it is due to Szilard that this awareness began to spread in the scientific community."

- Andrei Sakharov[3]It is often awarded to physicists early in their careers who are active in areas such as environmental issues, arms control, or science policy.

As of 2015[update] the recipient is given $3,000 plus $2,000 travel expenses and is expected to lecture at an APS meeting and at educational or research laboratories, to promote awareness of their activities.