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The Alan T. Waterman award medal, which features a portrait of Waterman.

The Alan T. Waterman Award

News

NSF honors 3 outstanding early-career researchers with the Alan T. Waterman Award

Waterman award announcement banner
Waterman award announcement banner

Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation

The U.S. National Science Foundation honored three researchers with the Alan T. Waterman Award, the nation's highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers.

The 2024 recipients: Muyinatu A. Lediju Bell, a biomedical engineer at Johns Hopkins University; Katrina G. Claw, a genetic scientist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; and Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio, an engineer working in robotics at Yale University, were recognized for their innovative approaches and leadership in their respective fields and for pushing the boundaries of science in truly novel ways.

The Waterman Award will be presented to the recipients at a ceremony during the National Science Board meeting, which will be held in Washington, D.C., on May 1. In addition to a medal, awardees will each receive $1 million over five years for research in their chosen field of science.

"These three outstanding researchers exhibit extraordinary scientific research accomplishments and stand out as leaders among their peers," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "This award recognizes their contributions and is also a vital investment in the future of science discovery and innovation, empowering the awardees to deepen their research, expand their projects, and explore new frontiers in their field. More importantly, it enables these exceptional individuals to apply their groundbreaking work for the betterment of their communities and society at large."

Muyinatu A. Lediju Bell
Johns Hopkins University
 

Katrina G Claw portrait

Katrina G. Claw
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio
Yale University
 

Overview

The Alan T. Waterman Award recognizes an outstanding young researcher in any field of science or engineering supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Alan T. Waterman award
Credit: National Science Foundation

The annual award is the nation's highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers. In addition to a medal, the awardee receives a grant of $1,000,000 over a five-year period for scientific research or advanced study in the science and engineering disciplines supported by the National Science Foundation at the institution of their choice. Disciplines supported by the NSF include the biological sciences, computer and information science and engineering, engineering, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, social, behavioral and economic sciences, and research on STEM education.

Congress established the award in August 1975 to mark NSF's 25th anniversary and to honor the agency's first director.

Nominations


Nomination information

NSF seeks nominations for exceptional candidates who showcase outstanding science and engineering talent across the United States of America.

Nominations for the 2025 Alan T. Waterman award will be accepted from July 22 to September 20, 2024. If you would like to plan a nomination, please review the Nomination form description, Letter of reference template, and Nominations tips to help you prepare a nomination.

The Nomination tips were created by the Alan T. Waterman Awards Committee to support nominators and reference writers in their efforts to expertly showcase the talents and expertise of nominees. 

Additional information can be found in the Frequently asked questions.

Eligibility and selection criteria

NSF seeks nominations that reflect the science and engineering disciplines supported by the agency.

  • Nominees must: 
    • Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
    • Be 40 years of age or younger OR not be more than 10 years beyond receipt of their Ph.D. by December 31st of the year they are nominated.
       
  • Nominees should have demonstrated exceptional individual achievements in scientific or engineering research of sufficient quality, originality, innovation and significant impact on the field to place them at the forefront of their peers.

Videos and lectures

Alan T. Waterman Call for Nominations Webinar 2024
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On August 14, 2024, NSF hosted a webinar to share information about the 2024 Alan T. Waterman Call for Nominations. The history and details of the award were shared, as well as nomination tips. Speakers included Gayle Pugh lev, Alicia J. Knoedler, Stephen Meacham and Stephanie Hill.
Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation

 

Additional videos

Alan T. Waterman award committee


Candidates are reviewed by the Alan T. Waterman Award committee once the nomination call has closed. The committee then recommends the most outstanding candidate(s) to NSF's director and the National Science Board.

Frequently asked questions


Past recipients


Inquiries


For further information concerning the Alan T. Waterman Award program or nomination process, email waterman@nsf.gov or contact NSF's Office of Integrative Activities at (703) 292-8040.