TAMEST Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards

2026 O’Donnell Awards Recipients

Technology Innovation

Nomination Guidelines and Form

Nominations are open for the 2027 O’Donnell Awards through Monday, March 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Nomination Guides

For more detailed information on submitting a nomination, download the appropriate guide below:

• Medicine, Engineering, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences Nomination Guide >
• Technology Innovation Nomination Guide >

Nomination Form

Nominations are open for the 2027 O’Donnell Awards through Monday, March 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. CT. All nominations must be submitted through the online portal.

Nomination Guidelines and Eligibility Requirements

Nomination Guidelines

Nomination Categories
Nominators must choose only one category — Medicine, Engineering, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Technology Innovation—for their nominee. The O’Donnell Awards Selection Committee reserves the right to move a nominee into a different category if they determine it to be a better fit.

Renomination of Candidates from Previous Year
All nominees will be automatically renominated for the two years following their initial nomination, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements. To ensure nominees remains strong in the review process, nominators are encouraged to update nomination materials. Nominators wishing to withdraw a nominee or update nomination materials may contact TAMEST staff to make the changes.

Research Teams
Research teams may be nominated in any category, provided that each team member meets all eligibility requirements. If a research team is selected to receive an award, the $25,000 honorarium will be divided evenly among the team members, and each member will receive a medal.

Nominator Requirements
Qualified nominators include TAMEST members, university presidents, chancellors, provosts, deans, vice presidents for research, department chairs, past O’Donnell Awards recipients, industry executives, administrators and managers.

Content Guidelines
Instructions for preparing nominations are meant to serve as guidelines. TAMEST encourages nominators to be innovative in presenting candidate accomplishments. The committee is looking for substantiation of achievements as well as the significance of the nominee's accomplishments. Please include information regarding how the nominee helps train and mentor the next generation of scientists.

Eligibility Requirements

Medicine, Engineering and Sciences Eligibility Requirements

• Nominees must be within 15 years of their first faculty appointment as of calendar year 2011 or later.
• Nominees must have spent the past two years performing research in Texas.
• For team nominations, all team members must meet eligibility requirements.
• TAMEST members are not eligible.

Technology Innovation Eligibility Requirements

• Nominees must be within 25 years from their first full-time private-sector or government- affiliated position as of calendar year 2001 or later.
• Nominees must have been continually employed in Texas for the past two years.
• For team nominations, all team members must meet eligibility requirements. If a research team is selected to receive an award, the $25,000 honorarium will be divided evenly among the team members, and each member will receive a medal.
• TAMEST members are not eligible.

Selection Process

A committee of TAMEST members (Texas-based members of the National Academies) evaluates nominations and recommends recipients, in consultation with a panel of National Academies members from outside of Texas. A committee of Texas Nobel and Breakthrough Laureates reviews and endorses the recipients. The TAMEST Board of Directors provides final approval of the recipients.

Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions Guide >
• 2027 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Awards Information Session: Medicine, Engineering, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences Categories
  • TAMEST held an information session on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time on Zoom to provide an overview of the nomination and selection process for the O’Donnell Awards for the following categories: medicine, engineering, biological sciences and physical sciences. View a recording of the information session here. View presentation slides here.
• 2027 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Awards Information Session: Technology Innovation Category
  • TAMEST held an information session on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Central Time on Zoom to provide an overview of the nomination and selection process for the O’Donnell Awards for the technology innovation category. View a recording of the information session here. View presentation slides here.

For questions, contact Stephanie Shaw at stephanie.shaw@austin.utexas.edu or at (512) 471-3823.

Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards 20th Anniversary

2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the O’Donnell Awards. Nearly $2.2 million has been awarded to more than 85 recipients in the categories of medicine, engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences and technology innovation since the inception of the program. The awards are named in honor of Edith and Peter O’Donnell who were among Texas’ staunchest advocates for excellence in scientific advancement and STEM education.

O’Donnell Awards Supporters

The Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards Endowment Fund was established in 2005 through the generous contributions of the following individuals and organizations:

• Rowling Foundation
• Southwestern Medical Foundation
• Ron and Phyllis Steinhart
• Susser Family Foundation in Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Steinhart
• Temple-Inland
• Texas Instruments Foundation
• TXU Energy
• Valero Energy Foundation
• Dr. and Mrs. Kern Wildenthal
• Cheryl and Sam Wyly
• Dee and Charles Wyly
• Zachry Foundation

Past O’Donnell Awards Recipients

Learn about our past recipients by clicking on a category below.