Medal of Science

What is the National Medal of Science?

The National Medal of Science is the nation's highest scientific honor. Established by Congress in 1959, it was intended to be bestowed annually by the President of the United States on a select group of individuals deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences. Congress expanded this definition in 1980 to recognize outstanding work in the social and behavioral sciences. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy awarded the first Medal of Science to the late Theodore Von Karman, professor emeritus, California Institute of Technology. Including the twelve 2000 winners, 386 have been awarded the Medal of Science.

Who administers the Medals of Science?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers the Medal of Science program for the President.

Who is eligible to receive the Medal of Science?

Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has applied for citizenship within the preceding 12 months.

What is the selection process?

A distinguished independent, 12-member, presidential-appointed committee reviews the nominations and sends its list of recommendations to the President for final selection. The committee is comprised of outstanding scientists and engineers from a variety of disciplines in the natural and social sciences. Serving as ex officio members are the president of the National Academy of Sciences and the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Policy.

For nomination and application information, contact the program manager for the National Medal of Science.

National Medal of Science
Phone: 703-292-8040
Fax: 703-292-9040
Email: mmontros@nsf.gov

-NSF-

For information about the 2007 Science Medalists, see:

Press Release

Previous Years' Awardees:

2005 and 2006200420032002

 

NSF Funds New Center to Bring Together Biologists, Mathematicians

Biologists and mathematicians from around the world will take part in a new institute dedicated to bringing top researchers together to find creative solutions to pressing problems in both scientific fields.Known as the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, or NIMBioS, the center is funded by a $16 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and is located at the University of Tennessee (UT) Knoxville.Mathematical biology is a growing field ... More at http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=112167&govDel=USNSF_51 This is an NSF News item.

White House Announces 2007 National Medal of Science Laureates

President George W. Bush has named the recipients of the 2007 National Medal of Science, the nation's highest honor for science and engineering. Honorees will receive the medals at a White House ceremony on Sept. 29, 2008."The 2007 National Medal of Science laureates have contributed to American science with their superb research," said Arden L. Bement, Jr., director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). "Their legacies have impacted our lives in numerous ways, from ... More at http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=112173&govDel=USNSF_51 This is an NSF News item.

Multi-Core Chip Research to Lead to Performance Gains, Power Reduction for High- and Low-End Computing with $6 Million Support from NSF, SRC

Leaders of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), the world's leading university-research consortium for semiconductors and related technologies, today announced a major joint initiative for multi-core chip design and architecture. The three-year program, funded by the two organizations, will focus on several components of multi-core system architecture design that can significantly enhance and accelerate solutions for advancing semiconductor ... More at http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=112163&govDel=USNSF_51 This is an NSF News item.

Understanding the Science of Solar-Based Energy: More Researchers Are Better Than One

With the assistance of a five-year $20 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Chemical Bonding Center (CBC) project, called "Powering the Planet," will increase the number of its collaborators to fulfill its goal of efficiently and economically converting solar energy and water into hydrogen and oxygen fuels.The hydrogen and oxygen gases produced will be usable by a fuel cell, where they will react to reform ... More at http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=112154&govDel=USNSF_51 This is an NSF News item.

Yellowstone's Ancient Supervolcano: Only Lukewarm?

The geysers of Yellowstone National Park owe their eistence to the "Yellowstone hotspot"--a region of molten rock buried deep beneath Yellowstone, geologists have found. But how hot is this "hotspot," and what's causing it?In an effort to find out, Derek Schutt of Colorado State University and Ken Dueker of the University of Wyoming took the hotspot's temperature.The scientists published results of their research, funded by the National Science ... More at http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=112126&govDel=USNSF_51 This is an NSF News item.