National Science Board - Honorary Awards - Vannevar Bush Award

Vannevar Bush Award

Honoring Exceptional Service to the Nation in Science and Technology


Vannevar Bush AwardThe Vannevar Bush Award honors exceptional lifelong leaders in science and technology. NSB established this award in 1980 in the memory of Vannevar Bush. Bush served as a science advisor to the US President during World War II, helped establish Federal funding for science and engineering as a national priority during peacetime, and was behind the creation of the National Science Foundation.

Candidates for the Vannevar Bush Award must be U.S. citizens and meet two out of three selection criteria:

  • Intellectual Merit – advanced and helped mold the frontiers of knowledge, technology, education
  • Public Service to the Nation – demonstrated distinguished public service to enhance the nation’s science and technology ecosystem
  • Societal Benefits – delivered benefits to the nation through science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

 

Nominations are closed for the 2025 Vannevar Bush awards. NSB will announce awardees in spring of 2025.