Location Húsavík Leif Erikson Exploration Award Harrison Schmitt Leif Erikson Exploration History Award Huw Lewis-Jones | Country Iceland Leif Erikson Yong Explorer Award Jessica Watson | |
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Awarded for achievements in exploration and for documenting exploration history. | ||
The Leif Erikson Awards, sometimes referred to as the Exploration Awards, are awarded annually by the Exploration Museum in Húsavík, Iceland, for achievements in exploration and for documentation of exploration history. They are awarded in three categories; to an explorer for a lifetime achievement in exploration; to a young explorer under the age of 35 for achievements in exploration; and to a person or an organization that has worked to promote and preserve exploration history. The Leif Erikson Awards are the main and final event of the annual Húsavík Explorers Festival. The awards were first awarded in 2015 and will be awarded next in October 2016.
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The awards are named for Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, considered as the first European to land in North America and who, according to the Sagas of Icelanders, established the first Norse settlement at Vinland, tentatively identified with the Norse L'Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of Newfoundland in modern-day Canada.
Scientific Committee
The winners of the Leif Erikson awards are voted by the members of the Exploration Museum's Scientific Committee. The committee is appointed for one year by the board of the museum, except for the chairperson, who is the winner of the previous year's Leif Erikson Exploration History award.
2015 Awards
The 2015 Leif Erikson Awards were announced on 11 November at the Exploration Museum in Húsavík.
Leif Erikson Exploration Award
Leif Erikson Young Explorer Award
Leif Erikson Exploration History Award
2016 Awards
The 2016 Leif Erikson Awards will be announced in October 2016. Nominations are scheduled to be accepted in January 2016. As the 2015 recipient of the Leif Erikson Exploration History Award, Dr. Huw Lewis-Jones will lead the Scientific Committee. Other members for 2016 are Ari Trausti Guðmundsson, Giuditta Gubbi, Francesco Perini and Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir.