Prizes and Resources

The annual robotics medal is accompanied by a $50,000 prize to a researcher who has made a major contribution and impact on the field of robotics.

The Rising Star Robotics Award is presented to an early-career professional woman making strides in research that will lead to significant impact in the field of robotics. This award is accompanied by a $5K prize.

Selection Criteria

The Robotics Medal and Rising Star Robotics Award recipients are selected by a committee of robotics experts, led by MassRobotics. The committees adheres to MassRobotics’ values and code of ethics requirements listed below.

Nominations are evaluated on the achievement and impact candidates provide in the overall field of robotics including significance, depth and originality of the technical contribution and not limited to any industry.

Values and Ethics

Nominators and endorsers for The MassRobotics Robotics Medal will be required to indicate whether they are aware of any action committed by the candidate that violates the MassRobotics Code of Ethics Principles or Core Values listed below.

MassRobotics Core Values

  • Technical excellence
  • Education and technical advancement
  • Ethical technology for positive impact
  • Diversity and inclusion

MassRobotics Code of Ethics Principles

  • Contribute to society and to human wellbeing, acknowledging that all people are stakeholders in robotics.
  • Avoid harm.
  • Be honest and trustworthy.
  • Be fair and take action not to discriminate.
  • Respect the work required to produce new ideas, inventions, creative works, and robotics artifacts.
  • Respect privacy.
  • Honor confidentiality.

How to Nominate

Nominations for the MassRobotics Robotics Medal and Rising Star must be submitted using the online nomination form.

The Robotics Medal 2024 | Rising Star 2024

Submitted materials should explain contribution and impact. Each nomination involves several components:

  • Name, address, phone number and email address of the nominator (person making the nomination). The most appropriate person to submit a nomination would be someone who can address the candidate’s research and impact in the robotics field.
  • Name, address, and email address of the candidate (person being nominated). It is MassRobotics’ policy not to tell candidates who has nominated or endorsed them.
  • Nominators will be required to indicate whether they are aware of any actions committed by the candidate that violates MassRobotics’ Code of Ethics or Core Values (listed below).
  • Suggested citation if the candidate is selected. This should be a concise statement (maximum of 100 words) describing a key accomplishment of the candidate. Note that the final wording for awardees will be at the discretion of the Award Committee.
  • Nomination statement (three pages, no more than 1,000 words in length) addressing why the candidate should receive this award. This may describe the candidate’s research/work in general but should draw particular attention to the contributions that merit the award.
  • Copy of the candidate’s CV, listing publications, patents, honors, service contributions, etc.
  • Supporting letters from at least two, and not more than three, endorsers. Endorsers should be chosen to represent a range of perspectives and institutions and provide additional insights or evidence of the candidate’s impact. Each letter must include the name, address and telephone number of the endorser and should focus on the accomplishments which that endorser can attest to and place in context. The nominator should collect the letters and bundle them for submission. Please note: Nominators will need to provide a valid email for each endorser. Endorsers will receive an email from award@massrobotics.org containing a link to the Code of Ethics attestation form and will be required to indicate whether they are aware of any actions committed by the candidate that violates MassRobotics’ Code of Ethics or Core Values.

Robotics Medal Endowment

MassRobotics has created an endowment and welcomes contributions to support future cash prizes for The Robotics Medal and Rising Star Robotics Award. Contact us to learn about becoming a founding underwriter of these awards.