IEEE Policies

4.1  Objectives

The IEEE shall recognize those who contribute to and support the purposes of the IEEE in an exception­ally worthy manner.  In furtherance of this objective, the IEEE shall create and foster a broad program of formal awards and recognitions of all types.  The IEEE shall encourage the formation of awards committees in its geographical, professional and technical organizational units to recognize outstanding achievements and services for the benefit of the IEEE and the engineering profession, and for those accomplishments which enhance the quality of life for all people throughout the world.

IEEE Awards shall serve several purposes: (1) be an expression of recognition for outstanding contributions to the advancement of the theory and practice of electrical, electronics, communications and computer engineering, as well as computer science, the allied branches of engineering and the related arts and sciences and technologies and their application; (2) be an incentive to youth to emulate excellence; (3) be a personalized recognition of the achievements of the profession and its members to the public, and (4) identify the IEEE with these achievements.

The awards policies of the IEEE shall establish a hierarchical system of awards at several levels of the IEEE's organization.  This system of awards is designed to meet the changing demands of the IEEE.

The IEEE, through its Awards Board, shall establish policies and procedures to provide for the orderly development and implementation of awards and recognitions programs throughout the IEEE, and shall administer those programs at the Institute level on behalf of the IEEE Board of Directors.

In carrying out awards activities, the IEEE organizational units shall give prominence to the intent of each award, as well as to the specific accomplishments of the recipients.