In order to promote the activities of phase diagram related work, APDIC awards the BPA each year to the authors of that judged to be the best publication in the field of phase equilibria and thermodynamics of the previous year.

The referred journals are primarily J. Phase Equilibria and Diffusion, Metall. Mater. Trans. A + B, International Journal of Materials Research, Calphad, J. Alloys & Compounds and Intermetallics. Each BPA committee member is responsible for scanning one journal but may also nominate other papers. Nominations from other APDIC representatives are also welcome if they are received by the BPAC chairman before 1^st of March.

The subject area is critical assessment of alloy phase diagram data of metals and ceramics, including thermodynamic assessment and theoretical calculation, such as first-principles calculation, and also experiments. The spirit of the BPA is to commend a scientific achievement reported within the year of selection, and therefore, a single paper will be selected.

The prize is $1000 and certificate. A sample of the wording is given for the 2004 Award: "For the best published manuscript on alloy phase diagram data in the year 2003".

The award is announced and conferred at the Calphad meeting of each year and in print in JPED and also in Calphad.