Call for Nominations
The Benjamin Franklin Medals
Eligibility and Selection Process
Nomination Information
The Franklin Institute invites you to nominate candidates for the Benjamin Franklin Medals. From its inception, The Franklin Institute has used awards and prizes to recognize and promote excellence in science, technology, and industry. The endowed Benjamin Franklin Medals are given annually in the following seven disciplines of science:
- Chemistry
- Computer and Cognitive Science
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Life Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
Please feel free to share this call for nominations with others who might wish to make a nomination. Questions about the appropriateness of a particular nomination are welcome and should be directed to Dr. Philip W. Hammer, Vice President, The Franklin Institute, at the number and/or address listed in the nomination section.
Eligibility
- This is an international competition for individuals whose work has a significant impact on the aforementioned fields of science and is not restricted by theme or topic.
- Candidates for the award must be living persons, and the winner is expected to participate in the Awards Ceremony and other Awards Week events in Philadelphia.
- The subject of the candidate's research must be an invention, discovery, technological development, or a body of work reflecting extraordinary insight, skill, or creativity.
- The work must have scientific value and/or proven utility. It must have provided significant direction for future research, solved an important problem, or provided great benefit to the public.
- There must be sufficient submitted documentation to support further investigation.
Selection Process
- Nominations will be accepted from any individual, organization, or institution.
- Nominations will be forwarded to the appropriate discipline within the Committee on Science and the Arts of the Franklin Institute. The Committee carefully selects candidates in a thorough case investigation process, which may take up to two years. Scientists and engineers who lead their fields, expand knowledge, challenge standards, and serve humanity are recognized.
- Nominations must be submitted in English. Reference letters are considered confidential. Names and addresses of references should be suggested by the nominator.
- There is no deadline for submissions. Nominations will be acknowledged promptly, but the case method review process typically requires two years to complete.
- Nominations may be submitted by mail, fax, or email. Original supporting materials must be sent by mail.