The Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) award program was established in 1959 to recognize and celebrate extraordinary contributions of young Maryland scientists. In 1988 the Outstanding Young Engineer (OYE) award was established to recognize contributions in engineering. Both awards are sponsored by the Maryland Academy of Sciences and conferred by the Maryland Science Center to recognize and encourage the important work of young professional scientists and engineers residing in the State of Maryland and increase public awareness of their accomplishments. The Outstanding Young Scientist award was endowed in 2011 by a generous gift to the Maryland Academy of Sciences by Reverend Frank R. Haig, S.J., Ph.D., past chairman of our Scientific Council, from the estate of his brother, Alexander M. Haig, Jr. Haig was a West Point graduate and four-star general, with a keen interest in applied science. The award is given in General Haig’s name. The Outstanding Young Engineer award is given in the name of Allan C. Davis. Mr. Davis was a Baltimore native and graduate of Johns Hopkins University. He was a businessman and inventor who held several patents and served as President of the Academy and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He funded the Center’s Davis Planetarium.
Congratulations to the 2023 Outstanding Young Scientist Award Recipient, You Zhou, Ph. D. and to the 2023 Outstanding Young Scientist Award Recipient, Jeffrey Boye!
Learn more about our winners by watching their videos on our YouTube channel.
Nominations for the recognition of achievement in both the sciences and engineering will be considered in two primary sub categories: Outstanding Young Engineer (OYE)
- Applied or Theoretical Research in Engineering – (Academic Track)
- Direct Application of Engineering – (Non Academic Track)
Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS)
- Applied or Theoretical Research in Science – (Academic Track)
- Direct Application of Science – (Non Academic Track)
In an effort to broaden and diversify our candidates from traditional academic domains subject areas may include but are not limited to:
- Astronomy
- Pharmaceuticals
- Medicine
- Environment
- Infrastructure
- Sustainability
- Nanotechnology
- Public Health
- Information Technology/Security
- Agriculture
- Aerospace
Academic Track Nomination Criteria
Outstanding Young Engineers (OYE) • Applied or Theoretical Research in Engineering – (Academic Track) Outstanding Young Scientists (OYS) • Applied or Theoretical Research in Science – (Academic Track) The Maryland Academy of Sciences announces the 2024 competition for Outstanding Scientist of the year (OYS) and Outstanding Engineer of the year (OYE) in the academic sector. Nominees must be Maryland residents 35 years of age and under. Their work should be well known nationally and internationally due to a sizable publication record in refereed international journals. The reference letters supporting the nomination should come from scientists that are well known in the nominee’s field. Important factors in the final decision are: contribution of the candidate’s work to the advancement of his/her field of research, the possibility that this work could become a game changer in its field of research, and the prospect of the candidate to rise to national and international prominence in the next 5-10 years.
Non-Academic Track Nomination Criteria
Outstanding Young Engineers (OYE) • Applied or Theoretical Research in Engineering – (Non-Academic Track) Outstanding Young Scientists (OYS) • Applied or Theoretical Research in Science – (Non-Academic Track) The Maryland Academy of Science’s Outstanding Young Engineer and Scientist Awards recognize substantial achievements on the part of a young professional working in a non-academic environment. The awards may be bestowed for a wide variety of achievements, directed to the practical applications of science or engineering. These awards are considered the highest state-wide professional honor and will be granted to an engineer and/or scientist who have been instrumental in implementing a novel approach to solve a difficult and previously unsolved problem. The ideal candidate will, through a combination of technical excellence, vision and leadership, have overcome obstacles to implement a novel solution that impacts people in a positive way. Based on this high standard it is not expected that an award will be made in every year. Nominees must be Maryland residents 40 years of age and under.
Determining the OYS and the OYE
A single Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) and Outstanding Young Engineer (OYE) will be selected as the overall winner from all nominations submitted under the combined Academic and Non-Academic Tracks.
The individual placing a nomination of a young scientist or engineer must:
- Obtain permission from the nominee to submit materials on his/her behalf and assurances that the nominee is eligible to receive the award and, if selected, the nominee will accept the award and attend the Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, MD;
- Complete and submit the online Nomination Form and all of the following:
- A detailed and signed letter of nomination on letterhead (see details below);
- Either a scholarly publication of the nominee’s that demonstrates the achievements for which the nominee is being put forth for recognition, or other documentation suitable to demonstrate the depth, breadth, and impact of the work for which the nominator suggests recognition is appropriate, including patents or other reports;
- Nominee’s current curriculum vitae or resume (no more than 3 pages); and,
- Two (2) additional letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the nominee’s work (see details below).
Letter of Nomination
The Letter of Nomination must be signed and submitted on letterhead and include a description of the work for which the nominee’s name is being submitted; identification of any awards or recognition received for that work; an explanation of the nature and quality of the nominee’s work and its impact upon scientific research, the nominee’s field, and/or the broader world; and the nominator’s relationship to the nominee.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation must be signed and submitted on letterhead and tendered by individuals familiar with and able to evaluate the nominee’s work. One of the letters must be written by someone outside the nominee’s organization. (Note: a different department does not constitute a different organization.)
All letters and other supporting material must be submitted via email to: oysoyeawards@marylandsciencecenter.org
Nominations are due Friday, February 16, 2024. Late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
Winners will be notified the week of March 13, 2024.
Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception to be held at the Maryland Science Center on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Recipients are required to attend.
Materials submitted become the property of the Maryland Science Center and will not be returned.
The individual placing a nomination of a young scientist or engineer must:
- Obtain permission from the nominee to submit materials on his/her behalf and assurances that the nominee is eligible to receive the award and, if selected, the nominee will accept the award and attend the Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, MD;
- Complete and submit the online Nomination Form and all of the following:
- A detailed and signed letter of nomination on letterhead (see details below);
- Documentation suitable to demonstrate the depth, breadth, and impact of the work for which the nominator suggests recognition is appropriate, including reports, publications, project profiles, patents or etc.
- Nominee’s current curriculum vitae or resume; and,
- Two (2) additional letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the nominee’s work (see details below).
Letter of Nomination
The Letter of Nomination must be signed and submitted on letterhead and include a description of the work for which the nominee’s name is being submitted; identification of any awards or recognition received for that work; an explanation of the nature and quality of the nominee’s work and its impact upon scientific research, the nominee’s field, and/or the broader world; and the nominator’s relationship to the nominee.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation must be signed and submitted on letterhead and tendered by individuals familiar with and able to evaluate the nominee’s work. One of the letters must be written by someone outside the nominee’s organization. (Note: a different department or division does not constitute a different organization.)
All letters and other supporting material must be submitted via email to: oysoyeawards@marylandsciencecenter.org
Nominations are due Friday, February 16, 2024. Late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
Winners will be notified the week of March 13, 2024.
Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception to be held at the Maryland Science Center on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Recipients are required to attend.
Materials submitted become the property of the Maryland Science Center and will not be returned.
To make a nomination for Outstanding Young Scientist or Outstanding Young Engineer, please download and complete the Nomination Form. Once completed, please send by email along with all other nomination materials to oysoyeawards@marylandsciencecenter.org.