Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, receives the IEEE Medal of Honor with Mary Ellen Randall, IEEE 2026 Chair in the background
IEEE
Note that I was IEEE President in 2024.]
Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, was awarded the $2 million IEEE 2026 Medal of Honor at the IEEE Honors Ceremony in New York. He donated the entire prize money plus an additional match from the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation to support the next generation of engineers. Specifically, the combined prize money will be used to fund new graduate fellowships in computer science and to support hands-on STEM education initiatives, known as IEEE TryEngineering, with these programs expected to begin in 2027.
Huang received IEEE’s highest honor for his pioneering leadership in accelerating computing and artificial intelligence. Just before Jensen took the stage to his recognition and applause from the audience, his colleague and Nvidia co-founder Chris Malachowsky was awarded the 2026 IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal for pioneering parallel computing architectures and leadership in semiconductor design. He also donated prize money to IEEE TryEngineering, to support initiatives that help introduce engineering to school children.
The ceremony also featured a commissioned data storytelling film created with information designer Giorgia Lupi and her team at Pantagram to illustrate the common paths and collaborations that connect the 2026 honorees. Established more than a century ago, the IEEE Awards Program recognizes individuals and teams whose innovations advance technology and improve the human condition and includes many more technical field medals and awards to engineers, computers and technology. IEEE Medal winners and 2026 President Mary Ellen Randall are shown below.
IEEE 2026 Medal Winners and IEEE 2026 Chair Mary Ellen Randall
IEEE
On April 22-23 prior to the IEEE Awards ceremony on April 24, IEEE held its second IEEE Laureate Forum that brought together past IEEE Laureate winners and technology innovators with a select group of younger technology professionals who have made significant professional achievements to network, mentor and listen to inspiring presentations and panels. The event was originally approved in 2024, while I was IEEE President, to inspire and engage with younger technology professionals and demonstrate the value of being part of IEEE to a younger generation of leaders.
The awardees’ forum will then be held prior to the 2027 IEEE awards ceremony. Like the 2026 event, it will offer opportunities for professional development by connecting with IEEE technology giants, career insights and advice from trusted industry veterans, and networking opportunities to expand your professional network and strengthen your personal brand. It will also provide information on current research trends.
IEEE is a public charity and the world’s largest technical professional organization with more than 500,000 members worldwide. It is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice in a wide variety of fields ranging from global standards, aerospace systems, computing and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electrical energy, and consumer electronics. Learn more at https://www.ieee.org.
IEEE celebrated leading technologists, engineers, researchers and innovators at the 2026 IEEE Awards Ceremony on April 24 in New York. Jensen Huang and Chris Malachowsky donated their IEEE Awards to fund IEEE initiatives in STEM and higher education.
