National Medals of Science and Technology Awards Ceremony

President Biden awarded the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to multiple recipients during a ceremony at the White House. The National Medal of Science is the highest honor the nation can bestow on scientists and engineers. Individuals are nominated by the scientific community, and a committee of scientists and engineers is appointed by the U.S. president to evaluate the nominees. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is awarded to individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to the nation’s “competitiveness, standard of living, and quality of life through technological innovation,” according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. For this award, an independent committee appointed by the secretary of commerce reviews candidates nominated through an open process. The committee makes recommendations to the secretary, who in turn makes recommendations to the president for final selection. close