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Vannevar Bush Award

Honoring exceptional service to the nation in science and technology
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National Science Board (NSB)

The Vannevar Bush Award, established by the National Science Board in 1980, honors exceptional lifelong leaders in science and technology.

The award was established in the memory of Vannevar Bush, who:

  • Served as a science advisor to the president during World War II.
  • Helped establish federal funding for science and engineering as a national priority during peacetime.
  • Was behind the creation of the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Candidates for the Vannevar Bush Award must be U.S. citizens and meet two out of three selection criteria:

  • Intellectual merit: Advanced and helped mold the frontiers of knowledge, technology or education.
  • Public service to the nation: Demonstrated distinguished public service to enhance the nation's science and technology ecosystem.
  • Societal benefits: Delivered benefits to the nation through science, technology, engineering or mathematics. 

 

Nominations are closed for the 2025 Vannevar Bush awards.

The board will announce awardees in the spring of 2025. 

 

Recent recipients

2024: John Hennessy

Director, Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program 
Stanford University

For his pioneering advances in computer architecture and leadership for both academic and corporate endeavors.

Read the press release. 

2023: Richard Garwin

Physicist, Presidential Advisor 
Emeritus Fellow, Thomas J. Watson Research Laboratory IBM

For his pioneering work in U.S. defense and intelligence technologies, and highly influential public service as an advisor to presidential administrations for the past 70 years.

Read the press release. 

2021: Ralph E. Gomory

Mathematician 
Former President of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Former Director of Research at IBM

For a lifetime of mathematical, scientific, technological, and educational achievement, exemplified by leadership of IBM Research and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, where his initiatives spurred economic growth, competitiveness, broadened understanding of the economic impacts of science and research, and enhanced science education.

Read the press release. 

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