Sponsor
The Franklin Institute
Program
Benjamin Franklin Medals
Description
The Franklin Institute invites nominations for the Benjamin Franklin Medals, presented in the following seven disciplines of science and engineering:
- Chemistry
- Civil and Mechanical Engineering
- Computer and Cognitive Science
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Life Science
- Physics
Recipients of the Benjamin Franklin Medals receive an honorarium of $10,000 per award.
Since 1824, The Franklin Institute of Philadelphia has honored the legacy of Benjamin Franklin by presenting awards for outstanding achievements in science, engineering, and industry. As the oldest comprehensive science and technology awards program in the United States, The Franklin Institute Awards Program has recognized more than 2,000 of the most pioneering scientists, engineers, inventors, and innovators from across the globe. Its history documents the course of human discovery and advancement through the past two centuries—from the diesel engine to the Mars rover, from the typewriter to the cell phone, and from x-ray technology to genome editing. Previous laureates include Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Pierre and Marie Curie, Max Planck, Orville Wright, Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ruth Patrick, Jacques Cousteau, Stephen Hawking, Martin Rees, Gordon Moore, Shuji Nakamura, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Blackburn, Bill Gates. See winners of the 2021 Benjamin Franklin Medals.
Nominations for the Benjamin Franklin Medals are accepted at any time.
Eligibility
- This is an international competition for individuals whose work has had a significant impact on the aforementioned fields of science and engineering and is not restricted by specific theme or topic.
- Nominees must be living and award recipients must participate in the Awards Ceremony at which their medals are presented. Medalists are also expected to participate in additional educational and social events during Awards Week. Events take place each spring locally to The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- 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.
- Nominations will be accepted from any individual, organization, or institution including self-nominations.
- Nominations of candidates traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering are particularly encouraged.
- No more than three individuals may be nominated for a shared award. A significant case for inclusion of all parties must be conveyed.
- Sufficient submitted documentation to support further investigation must be provided by the nominator in order for the nomination to be considered.
Prize
Recipients of the Benjamin Franklin Medals receive an honorarium of $10,000 per award.
Special Notes
Please note that research activities carried out in the context of COVID-19 need to adhere to the University of Guelph COVID-19 research principles, policies, guidelines and processes as they may be updated from time to time and communicated on the Office of Research web-page.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Please submit the nomination directly to awards@fi.edu. Please also submit a copy of the full nomination and OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca. |
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted by email, using the nomination checklist provided on the Benjamin Franklin Medals website.
Application criteria may be found on the Benjamin Franklin Medals website.
Please submit an OR-5 and a completed application to research.services@uoguelph.ca by the external deadline.
For More Information
For more information, contact stratprg@uoguelph.ca or awards@fi.edu. Also see the Benjamin Franklin Medals website for more information.