Robert K. Merton was one of the leading sociologists of the 20th century.

The interest in his activity does not weaken. It is not easy to encompass all works that have been published after the great sociologist’s death that are related somehow to his legacy.

R. Merton’s name is connected with many directions in sociological research, but first of all, it became the eponym for the sociology of science because the phrase the “Mertonian sociology of science” became widely accepted by the scientific community.

In 1966, R. Merton became one of the founder, organizer and the first President of the Research Committee on the Sociology of Science (RC23) of the International Sociological Association. Merton’s activity at this post was in many ways decisive for theoretical and institutional development of the sociology of science worldwide.

In honor and memory of Robert Merton, the RC23 Committee has established THE ROBERT MERTON AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIOLOGY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

ISA Executive Committee approved it in May 2016.

The award is intended to recognize and showcase the outstanding, long-term achievement of an individual researcher to the field rather than the excellence of an individual book or single idea.

The first award was granted to professor Francisco Sagasti, a notable Peruvian scientist during the Session "In Memory of First RC23 President Robert K. Merton" at the XIX World Congress in Toronto.

Harriet Zuckerman, Professor Emerita of Columbia University and the wife of Robert Merton participated in this Ceremony.