The Robert H. Gibbs, Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Systematic Ichthyology (Gibbs Award) honors the memory of Robert H. Gibbs, Jr., Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. The award is made possible by an endowment fund established by the Society from a gift provided by Frigga Gibbs, his wife.

Prizes are awarded for an outstanding body of published work in systematic ichthyology by a citizen of a Western Hemisphere nation who has not been a previous recipient of the Gibbs Award. The award consists of an appropriate plaque commemorating the award and a cash sum. The award is offered annually and the recipient announced at the annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.

Nominations for the award may be made by any ichthyologist, including self nominations and those proposed by the award committee. Nominations should include the nominee's curriculum vitae, and detail the nominee's specific contributions and their impact on systematic ichthyology. Nominations will be effective for three award periods. Nominations may be made at any time, but must be received on or before March 1 of the year to be eligible for the award in that year. Three copies of each nomination should be sent to the current Gibbs Award Chairperson (see committee list).