The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the call for nominations for the 2026 Enrico Fermi Presidential Award, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honors in science and technology.
September 29, 2025
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WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the call for nominations for the 2026 Enrico Fermi Presidential Award, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honors in science and technology. The Fermi Award recognizes individual(s) of international stature for exceptional scientific, technical, policy, and/or management achievements advancing DOE’s broad energy and scientific missions. The award is administered on behalf of the White House by the DOE’s Office of Science.
“The Enrico Fermi award is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious honors for scientists committed to advancing energy science and technology. Established in 1956 by President Eisenhower, the Fermi Award has inspired people of all ages to follow in the footsteps of an extraordinary scientist who gave so much to this nation,” said Darío Gil, DOE’s Under Secretary for Science. “The Department of Energy is proud to honor his legacy by recognizing today’s remarkable scientific leaders who continue to push the boundaries of science.”
The deadline to submit a nomination is Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. Nominations must include a letter summarizing the candidate’s achievements, three to six letters of support, CV, and short bibliography. An independent panel of distinguished experts will be convened by DOE to review nominations. Final award selections will be made by the President of the United States. Winners receive a citation signed by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Energy, a gold-plated medal bearing the likeness of Enrico Fermi and an honorarium of $100,000. In the event the award is given to more than one individual in the same year, the recipients share the honorarium equally. To submit a nomination and read nomination instructions, visit the Nomination and Selection Guidelines page.
Eligibility: The Fermi Award is given for distinguished achievement, leadership, and service related to basic and applied research, science, and technology supported by DOE and its programs. Achievements must be identifiable as lasting, impactful, and substantial. Only living nominees will be considered. The Fermi Award is not limited to U.S. citizens, and it is not limited to researchers whose work has been funded by DOE.