| 1959 Hugo Award for A Case of Conscience "Best Novel" |
| 1960 Guest of Honor, World Science Fiction Convention |
| 1965 Nebula Award nomination for "The Shipwrecked Hotel" "Best Novelette" (with Norman L. Knight) |
| 1968 Nebula Award nomination for Black Easter "Best Novel" |
| 1969 Hugo Award nomination for "We All Die Naked" "Best Novella" |
| 1970 Nebula Award nomination for "A Style in Treason" "Best Novella" |
| 1970 Guest of honor, British Eastercon |
| 1976 BSFA Special Award for Best British SF |
| 1977 Creation of the James Blish award for Criticism (first winner, Brian Aldiss) |
| 1950/2001 Retro-Hugo Award nomination for "Okie" "Best Novelette" |
| 2002 Elected to Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame |
| 1953/2004 Retro-Hugo Award for "Earthman Come Home" "Best Novelette" |
| 1953/2004 Retro-Hugo Award for "A Case of Conscience" "Best Novella" |