External Awards

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.