External Awards

External Awards are those awards not exclusive to IEEE but of interest to IEEE and its members.

The External Awards Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and suggesting actions on outside sources of awards of interest to IEEE members, for recommending nominations for such external awards as may be assigned to it by the Awards Board (AB), and for recommending IEEE candidates for service on joint society medals, and awards committees to the AB.

Hoover Medal

The Hoover Medal was established in 1929. This award is given for great and unselfish, non-technical service, by an engineer to his fellow man. The nomination deadline is 15 February. Recipients receive a gold medal and a certificate.

Alfred Noble Joint Prize Award

The Alfred Noble, Joint Prize Award, was established in 1929. This award is given to a member of any grade of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc., the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the IEEE, or the Western Society of Engineers. It is given for a technical paper of exceptional merit accepted by the Committee on Publications or a committee of like standing for publication in any of their technical publications, provided that the author has not passed their 35th birthday when the paper is submitted to the society in its final form.  The nomination deadline is 1 May. Recipients receive a certificate and honorarium.

Elmer A. Sperry Award

The Elmer A. Sperry Award was established in 1955. This award is given for a distinguished engineering contribution which, through application, proved in actual service, has advanced the art of transportation whether by land, sea, air or space. The term contribution as here used includes, but is not limited to, such contributions as devices or procedures in the fields of safety, precision, comfort, dependability, reliability, economics in production or use of vehicles, or a combination of several such elements. The nominations are accepted on a continuous basis until their meeting in mid-October. Recipients receive a bronze medal, certificate, and copy of the biography of Elmer A. Sperry.

Washington Award

The Washington Award was established in 1916 by the Western Society of Engineers in response to a recommendation to the society by Mr. John W. Alvord, one of its past presidents. Mr. Alvord is known for his work with water and sanitary systems. Especially noteworthy is the work in which Mr. Alvord developed recommendations for the City of Racine, Wisconsin, to address and change the sanitation business. His approach was to provide what was then known as a “multi-barrier” approach to public health protection.

Bell Labs Prize

The Bell Labs Prize is a competition for innovators from participating countries around the globe that seeks to recognize proposals that “change the game” in the field of information and communications technologies by a factor of 10. It also provides selected innovators the unique opportunity to collaborate with Bell Labs researchers to help realize their vision. First-prize winners receive US$100,000 (with a matching US$100,000 gift to the winner’s university); second prize is US$50,000; and third prize is US$25,000. All three winners will also be considered for the unique opportunity to work within the world-renowned Bell Labs to further explore their ideas, following the end of the competition.

Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education

The Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education was established in 2001. This award is given to a US Citizen or US permanent resident that has identified new modalities and experiments in teaching and learning that have demonstrated to beneficially impact the effectiveness of contemporary engineering and technology education. The nomination deadline is 4 April. Recipients receive a gold medallion, certificate, and cash honorarium.

Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science

The Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science was established in 1990. It is presented annually to a distinguished member of the international scientific community for work in a prescribed discipline that changes each year. The nomination deadline is 31 May. Recipients receive a gold medal and cash honorarium.

Edison Awards

Edison Awards was originally established in 1987 by the American Marketing Association, but an independent organization since 2008, the Edison Awards™ have recognized and honored some of the most innovative products and business leaders in the world and is among the most prestigious accolades honoring excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design and innovation.

Edison Awards is a program of the Edison Universe, a 501 (c)(3) organization. The Edison awards honor innovation, recognize achievement and celebrate success from organizations across the globe, Edison Universe is focused on fostering innovation.

Vannevar Bush Award

The Vannevar Bush Award was established in 1980. This award recognizes and individual who, through public service activities in science and technology, has made an outstanding contribution toward the welfare of mankind and the nation. The nomination deadline is 15 November. Recipients receive a medal.

C&C Prize

The C&C Prize was established in 1985. It is presented to recognize outstanding contributions to R&D Activities and pioneering works in the area of C&C. The nomination deadline is 31 May. Recipients receive a certificate, plaque, and cash honorarium.

John Fritz Medal

The John Fritz Medal, referred to as the highest award in the engineering profession, is presented each year for scientific or industrial achievement in any field of pure or applied science. It was established in 1902 as a memorial to the great engineer whose name it bears. The nomination deadline is 31 December.

Linton E. Grinter Distinguished Service Award

The Linton E. Grinter Distinguished Service Award was established in 1972. It is presented annually to an individual who has a record of meaningful involvement in the work of ABET over a significant period of time. His/her work shall include significant contributions at several levels in one or more of the major activities of ABET as an elected officer, an accreditation commission member, or service on standing or special committees. The nomination deadline is 31 May. Recipients receive a certificate and special desk award.

The Heinz Awards

The Heinz Awards were established in 1993. These awards are given for outstanding contributions in the areas of arts and humanities, environment, human condition, public policy, technology, the economy, and employment. The nomination deadline is in October of each year. Recipients receive a medallion and cash honorarium.

Japan Prize

The Japan Prize was established in 1984. This award is given to people from all parts of the world whose original and outstanding achievements in science and technology are recognized as having advanced the frontiers of knowledge and served the cause of peace and prosperity for mankind. The selection of recipients takes place each January. Recipients receive a certificate, medal, and cash honorarium.

Kyoto Prize

The Kyoto Prize was established in 1984. It is an international award given to honor those who have contributed significantly to the scientific, cultural, and spiritual betterment of mankind. The prize is presented annually in each of the following categories: Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts and Philosophy. Candidates for the Kyoto Prize are nominated by official Kyoto Prize nominators. Recipients receive a diploma, gold medal, and cash honorarium.

Lemelson-MIT Prize Award

The Lemelson-MIT Prize Award was established in 1995. This award is bestowed upon US citizens or permanent residents. It is awarded to outstanding mid-career inventors who have developed a patented product or process of significant value to society, which has been adopted for practical use, or has a high probability of being adopted. The nomination deadline is 4 October. Recipients receive a cash honorarium.

Marconi Prize

The Marconi Prize was established in 1975. It is presented annually to an individual or individuals for innovation in information technologies for broad public benefit. The nomination deadline is 30 June. Recipients receive a work of sculpture and cash honorarium.

Millenium Technology Prize

The Millenium Technology Prize was established in 2004. This award is presented every other year to individuals that promote technological research and innovation that have a positive impact on the quality of life, alleviate fears towards technological change, and encourage discussion between technology specialists and societal decision makers. The nomination deadline is 1 October. Recipients receive a trophy and cash honorarium.

National Medal of Technology and Innovation

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation was established in 1980. This award is given annually to individuals or a team of up to four companies, or divisions of companies, for their outstanding contributions to the Nation’s economic, environmental, and social well-being through the development and commercialization of technological products, processes, and concepts; technological innovation; and development of the Nation’s technological manpower. The nomination deadline is 30 May. Recipients receive a medal.

Fritz J. and Delores H. Russ Prize

The Fritz J. and Delores H. Russ Prize was established in 1999. It is presented every other year to recognize engineering achievement within an emerging engineering discipline that has significantly impacted society and has contributed to the advancement of the human condition through widespread use. The nomination deadline is 4 April. Recipients receive a gold medallion, certificate, and cash honorarium.

Charles Stark Draper Prize

The Charles Stark Draper Prize was established in 1989. It is presented annually to recognize achievements in all engineering disciplines. The nomination deadline is 4 April. Recipients receive a gold medallion, certificate, and cash honorarium.