Background

PAESMEM recognizes the critical roles mentors play in the academic and professional development of the future STEM workforce.

Colleagues, administrators, and members of the general public nominate individuals and organizations for exemplary mentoring sustained over a minimum of five years. Since 1995, PAESMEM has honored the hard work and dedication of more than 330 individual and organizations that work to broaden participation in the STEM pipeline.

Awardees serve as leaders in the national effort to develop fully the nation's human resources in STEM. Mentors share their expertise and guidance with learners, sometimes through formal mentoring programs. Protégés are students and early career STEM and STEM-related professionals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, persons with disabilities, and persons from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

To learn more about PAESMEM, please visit our About the Awards page.

Information on PAESMEM awardees from prior cohorts is available on the Find Awardees page.