Call for Nominations: 2015 National Medals of Science & Technology
Richard Fienberg AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force
This item is posted on behalf of Fae M. Jencks of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy:
Nominations are currently being accepted for the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation. These awards offer a unique opportunity to showcase the best and brightest minds within the AAS and other scientific societies, i.e., the outstanding scientists and innovators you work with each and every day.
Every year the committees tasked with selecting nominees for the National Medals review hundreds of nominations for the nation’s highest honor for achievement in science and technology. Whether the nominees have made groundbreaking discoveries to expand our knowledge of the universe, developed transformational technologies to improve the health and well-being of people around the world, or inspired and mentored the next generation of explorers and innovators, nominees for these medals epitomize the American prerogative to dream bigger and reach higher.
The National Science Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2015 National Medal of Science through 27 April 2015. NSF is especially interested in identifying women, members of minority groups, and persons with disabilities for consideration.
The US Patent and Trademark Office is accepting nominations for the 2015 National Medal of Technology and Innovation through 1 June 2015.
The National Medal of Science was established by the 86th Congress in 1959 as a presidential award to be given to individuals "deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." In 1980 Congress expanded this recognition to include the social and behavioral sciences.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation, bestowed annually by the US president, is America's highest honor for technological achievement and innovation. It is awarded to individuals, teams (up to four individuals), 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 strengthening the nation's technological workforce.