The Career Contribution Award is given to an individual who has made numerous distinguished contributions that have clearly advanced the science of structural geology or tectonics throughout their career. Nominees need not be citizens or residents of the United States, and membership in the Geological Society of America is not required. The Career Contribution Award cannot be given posthumously, unless the decision to give it was made before the death of the awardee. All nominations will be held under consideration for a period of three years, after which time they will be retired. A new nomination for the same individual can be submitted after the previous nomination is retired.