IEEE Medal of Honor

Sponsored by: IEEE Foundation

Nomination Form | Recipients | Committee Roster

Nomination Deadline: 1 July


The IEEE Medal of Honor is the Institute's highest award. Five years after the formation of the Institute of Radio Engineers, the IEEE Medal of Honor was established as its first award to recognize distinguished service in the then fledging art of radio communications. Thus, the first Medal of Honor was bestowed on Major Edwin H. Armstrong in 1917.

In the years that followed, the IEEE Medal of Honor became the highest award in the radio engineering profession, given only to those who had attained preeminence in the field through outstanding technical contributions.

Following the merger of the Institute of Radio Engineers and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers in 1963, the IEEE Medal of Honor became the highest award of The IEEE, and its scope was correspondingly broadened.  It is given for an exceptional contribution or an extraordinary career in the IEEE fields of interest.

It is presented only when a candidate is identified as having made a particular contribution which forms a clearly exceptional addition to the science and technology of concern to the Institute.

Recipient selection is administered through the IEEE Medals Council of the IEEE Awards Board.

The award consists of a gold medal, bronze replica, certificate and honorarium.