The Ames Fellow Program is designed to identify and acknowledge a very small number of Ames Research Center employees for their national or international reputation of scientific or engineering excellence and their contributions to NASA and our research Center. The rank of fellow is the highest recognition that Ames Research Center can bestow upon one of its own employees.

Nomination Process:

The Ames Chief Scientist shall put forth a Center-wide call for nominations. Any Ames Research Center (ARC) civil servant employee may nominate a fellow civil servant who has demonstrated exceptional and innovative contributions their field of research. All nominations must be submitted to the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS), which will oversee the selection process.

Each nomination must be accompanied by the following information:

1. A letter of recommendation from the nominator to the Chief Scientist (not to exceed 5 pages) delineating the nominee’s contributions to both NASA and to their scientific or engineering field of study;
2. Nominee’s curriculum vitae which should contain at least the following information:
   1. A list of publications;
   2. A list of invited lectures;
   3. A list of patents;
   4. A list of internal and external awards;
   5. A detailed account of peer recognition such as special invitations to author reviews of books, journal editorships, conferences organized, etc.;
3. Three letters of recommendation of which at least two should be from outside (ARC);
4. A list of 3-5 individuals from outside Ames that can assess the candidate’s contribution to the field. These individuals must possess “world class” standing in the field.

Eligibility:

To be eligible to be made an Ames Fellow, nominees must meet the following criteria:

1. Be currently employed by NASA Ames;
2. Have no less than 10 years of civil servant service;
3. Must be internationally recognized for their innovative contributions to their field of research;
4. Have made demonstrable contributions to meet NASA’s enterprise goals.

Selection:

Nominees for the Ames Fellow Award are reviewed every five years. The OCS shall review all nominations and provide input to the Center Director who will make the final selection.  Awardees will receive the following:

• A portrait shall be commissioned at government expense and hung in a suitable place in perpetuity;
• A formal dinner (black tie or dark suit) to honor a new Ames Fellow;
• A plaque;
• While maintaining active employment at Ames, the Ames Fellow shall be tendered the following privileges for a period of 5 years:
  • A budget of $30,000 per annum toward support of his/her personal aerospace research
  • A budget of $5,000 per annum for travel to technical meetings.

Awardees will also be required to give a lecture to the Center.

If you have any questions regarding the NASA Ames Fellow nomination process, eligibility, or selection, you may contact the OCS at arc-ocs@mail.nasa.gov

Ames Fellows

2015

William J. Borucki

2011

Louis J. Allamandola
Baruch S. Blumberg
Wayne R. Johnson
Hans Mark

1999

Charles W. Bauschlicher
Heinz Erzberger

1991

Howard Goldstein

1989

Charles E. Billings

1987

James B. Pollack

1986

Robert T. Jones (Honorary)
Harvard Lomax

For more information about the Ames Fellows, visit the Ames History Office at: http://history.arc.nasa.gov/awards_amesfelw.htm