National Medal of Science

President Bush recently announced the recipients of the 2005 and 2006 Medal of Science, America's highest honor for scientific achievement. The recipients will receive their medals in a ceremony on July 28th.

An NSF press release is available here: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=109741
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Scheduling information about the ceremony is available here: pressrelease_medalofscienceceremony_070724.pdf (press release from the Office of Science and Technology Policy)

Background

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.

A Committee of 12 scientists and engineers is appointed by the President to evaluate the nominees for the Award. Since its establishment, the National Medal of Science has been awarded to 441 distinguished scientists and engineers whose careers spanned decades of research and development. The recipients database from 1962 to the present can be searched at http://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recipients.cfm.

Inquiries

For further information concerning the Award program or nomination process, contact:

Mayra N. Montrose
Office of Integrative Activities
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Rm. 1270
Arlington, VA 22230
Email: nms@nsf.gov
Phone: 703-292-8040
Fax: 703-292-9040