Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, receiving the IEEE Medal of Honor with Mary Ellen Randall, 2026 IEEE President in background

IEEE

Note that I was IEEE President in 2024.]

Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, was awarded the $2M 2026 IEEE Medal of Honor at the IEEE Honors Ceremony in New York City. He donated the full prize money plus an additional match from the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation to support the next generation of engineers. In particular, the combined prize money will be used to fund new graduate scholarships in computing and to support hands-on STEM education initiatives, known as IEEE TryEngineering, with these programs expected to start in 2027.

Huang received IEEE’s highest honor for his pioneering leadership in accelerating computing and artificial intelligence. Just before Jensen came to the stage for his recognition and a standing ovation from the attendees, his colleague and fellow 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 is cash award to IEEE TryEngineering, to support initiatives that help introduce engineering to school-aged children.

The ceremony also included a commissioned data-storytelling film created with information designer Giorgia Lupi and her team at Pantagram to illustrate the shared pathways and collaborations connecting the 2026 honorees. The IEEE Awards Program was established more than a century ago and recognizes individuals and teams whose innovations have advanced technology and improve the human condition and includes many more medals and technical field awards across engineering, computing and technology. The IEEE Medal Winners and 2026 President, Mary Ellen Randall, are shown below.

On April 22-23 before the IEEE Awards Ceremony on April 24 IEEE held its second IEEE Laureate Forum which brought together past IEEE award winners and technology innovators with a selected group of younger technology professionals who had 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 show the value of being part of the IEEE to a younger generation of leaders.

The Laureate Forum will next be held before the 2027 IEEE Honors Ceremony. Like the 2026 event it will provide opportunities for professional development by connecting with IEEE technology giants, career insights and advice from trusted industry veterans and networking opportunities to expand one’s professional network and enhance your personal brand. It will also provide insights on current research trends.

IEEE is a public charity and the world's largest technical professional organization with over 500,000 members worldwide. It is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from global standards, aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at https://www.ieee.org.

IEEE celebrated leading technologists, engineers, researchers, and innovators at the 2026 IEEE Honors Ceremony on April 24th in New York City. Jensen Huang and Chris Malachowsky donated their IEEE Award prizes to fund IEEE initiatives for STEM and university education.