IEEE Medal of Honour raised to $2 million

Additionally, for the first time, the 2025 laureate will be revealed at a dedicated press conference in New York City early next year. This press conference will be live-streamed to increase visibility for the essential work being honoured. Those interested can register for the live stream at https://www.engage.ieee.org/medal-of-honor.

"By significantly increasing the IEEE Medal of Honour monetary prize to $2 million we are elevating our recognition of extraordinary individuals and the work they have done to benefit humanity to its rightful place as one of the world's most prestigious technology-focused prizes and awards," said 2024 IEEE President and CEO Thomas M. Coughlin. "It is a move that also underscores IEEE's role as a public charity whose mission is to advance technology for the benefit of humanity."

Established in 1917, the IEEE Medal of Honour is the organisation’s highest accolade, recognising life-changing technological contributions such as the creation of the Internet and the development of life-saving medical technologies, including CAT scans, MRIs, and pacemakers. It also honours advancements in transistors and semiconductors, which form the foundation of modern electronics and computing. The 2025 award, along with other prestigious IEEE awards, will be presented during the IEEE Honours Ceremony, which will be held in Tokyo, Japan, in April 2025 for the first time.

IEEE Medal of Honour laureates include:

• Robert E. Kahn, awarded the 2024 IEEE Medal of Honour for pioneering work in packet communication technologies and the foundations of the Internet. As President and CEO of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives, Kahn, alongside Vinton Cerf, designed the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP), which form the core architecture of the Internet, enabling data transmission across networks
• Vinton G. Cerf, recipient of the 2023 IEEE Medal of Honour, for co-developing the Internet’s architecture and leading its growth as a crucial societal infrastructure. As Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google, Cerf, together with Kahn, created the TCP/IP protocol suite, which transformed the ARPANET into the modern Internet
• Asad M. Madni, who received the 2022 IEEE Medal of Honour, for his pioneering work in developing and commercialising innovative sensing and systems technologies. He led the creation of the GyroChip, an inertial measurement sensor integrated into automobiles to enable electronic stability control (ESC), saving thousands of lives by preventing rollovers
• Mildred Dresselhaus, the 2015 IEEE Medal of Honour recipient, for her leadership and contributions across various scientific fields. Known as the "Queen of Carbon Science," her research into carbon structures paved the way for breakthroughs in nanotechnology, energy storage, and computing, transforming numerous industries and advancing gender equality in STEM disciplines

The IEEE Medal of Honour may be awarded to an individual or a team of up to three people for outstanding contributions to technology, engineering, or science. The selection criteria include the significance and originality of the achievement, societal and professional impact, and relevant publications and patents.