Awards & Recognitions

A JPL Fellow is one who has made extraordinary technical and institutional contributions to JPL over an extended period of time. Fellows are sought out for advice on strategic technical decisions and for establishing the course for JPL’s future.

The National Academies are private, independent nonprofit institutions that recognize and promote outstanding leadership to the nation. Being elected to an academy is one of the highest honors afforded to a professional scientist or engineer. Members and Fellows are elected by their peers based on their distinguished careers and accomplishments. The following individuals have been named members or fellows of a National Academy.

Senior Research Scientists are full time JPL-Caltech employees who have demonstrated research achievements comparable to those required for a full professorship at a major research university. This appointment recognizes those individuals whose research is of the highest quality and significance, who have had a major impact on their field, and who are widely recognized by their peers in the research community for their accomplishments.

The work and accomplishments of many JPL researchers has been recognized by many external organizations. Awards, fellowships, and other recognitions have been bestowed on researchers across multiple fields of research. Here we highlight major awards made to JPLers by external organizations.

The "Fellow" distinction is bestowed by professional organizations upon individuals who are recognized as leaders in their field of research. Only those who have made extraordinary and outstanding contributions to a scientific or technical body of knowledge -- over a lengthy career -- receive this honor. In fact, on average less than 1% of a society's membership go on to become Fellows, as each professional organization has its own rigorous vetting and selection process. Below is a list of JPL employees who are leaders in their fields and have been named as "Fellows" by professional organizations.

The Principal designation is awarded to recognize sustained outstanding individual contributions in advancing scientific or technical knowledge or advancing the implementation of technical and engineering practices for projects, programs or the Institution.

The Lew Allen Award for Excellence was designed to recognize and encourage significant individual accomplishments or leadership in scientific research or technological innovation by JPL employees during the early years of their professional careers. The award consisted of a monetary amount from the JPL Research and Technology Development Fund (R&TD) to be used at JPL to enhance the professional efforts of the awardee. In addition to R&TD funds, the awardees received a monetary award and a memento. Annually, up to four (4) individuals were awarded.

The Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication recognized and encouraged the publication of significant research results in science and in technology/engineering by JPL employees throughout their professional careers. This distinguished award consisted of a certificate of recognition and an Explorer Bonus Award. Generally, four (4) awards were presented each year, nominally two in science and two in technology/engineering.