Prizes and Awards

The Caltech Y Advocating Change Together (ACT) Award provides students with the opportunity to learn about a global, national, or local issue by immersing themselves with activists working on a cause.

This award is given to the mathematics major finishing their senior year who has demonstrated the most outstanding performance in mathematics courses completed in the student's time at Caltech.

Given in memory of Mabel Beckman’s many years of commitment to Caltech’s educational and research programs, this prize is awarded to an undergraduate woman (or women) who, upon completion of her junior or senior year at Caltech, has achieved academic excellence and demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, a commitment to personal excellence, good character, and a strong interest in the Caltech community.

This prize is given to one or more juniors or seniors for outstanding original research in mathematics.

Established in 2001 by Vineer Bhansali (B.S. ’87, M.S. ’87) in memory of his grandfather, Mag Raj Bhansali, this prize is given to an undergraduate student for outstanding research in computer science in the current academic year. Awardees are selected by a committee of computer science faculty.

This prize is given to one or more first-year students, sophomores, or juniors to fund summer study abroad in an organized program with the aim of gaining exposure to foreign language and international issues or cultures, including global issues in the sciences and engineering.

This prize recognizes a first-year student with the most interesting solutions to the Physics 11 “hurdles,” demonstrating intellectual promise and creativity at the very beginning of their Caltech education.

This prize is given to an undergraduate who has demonstrated both academic excellence and great promise of future contributions in the fields represented by the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences.

Awarded annually, this prize is given to the entering first-year students who wrote the most imaginative essays in the application for their first-year admission.

This award is given to individuals who demonstrated excellence within their discipline and research while engaging in complex social justice issues. This awardee has led or participated in advocacy campaigns centering on the experiences of minoritized identities and provided vision and leadership in forming affinity spaces and targeted support programs.

This award is given to individuals embodying servant leadership through a demonstrated commitment to steering institutional change within the Caltech community. This person takes the initiative and has the vision to translate a need into actionable steps or policy to create a legacy and a more inclusive campus climate.

This prize is awarded annually to a first-year student who has demonstrated excellence in physics. Established in 2018, this prize honors the memory of Robert F. Christy, former provost and professor of theoretical physics at Caltech.

This prize is awarded annually to a senior who has demonstrated excellence in theoretical physics through research and/or coursework. Established in 2018, this prize honors the memory of Robert F. Christy, former provost and professor of theoretical physics at Caltech.

This award is given to two juniors in recognition of service to the campus community and academic excellence. Preference is given to students in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science and to those in chemical engineering. The awards honor the work of Professor Clark, class of 1929, both in the field of engineering and in his service to the Alumni Association.

The CMS and IST Gradient for Change Awards honor students, postdocs, staff, and faculty in the Caltech community who demonstrate exceptional efforts to make Caltech and/or the broader scientific community a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. The awards recognize and highlight individual contributors or small teams who are considered agents of change, community leaders, and/or allies to historically marginalized group(s) in the information sciences, including computer science, applied mathematics, and beyond.

This award is presented to undergraduates whose concern for their fellow students has been demonstrated by their persistent efforts to improve the quality of undergraduate life and by effective communication with members of the faculty and administration.

This award recognizes and honors individuals within the EAS community who have actively contributed to the Division’s goal to be a diverse, equitable and inclusive engineering community.

This award is given annually to an undergraduate who has actively supported and willingly worked for organizations that enrich not only student life, but also the campus and/or the community as a whole, and who has, in addition, exhibited care and concern for the welfare of students on a personal basis. The award was established in 1999 by Martin and Sally Ridge in honor of Doris Everhart.

This prize is awarded to a senior on the basis of excellence in theoretical physics.

This recognizes a junior physics major who demonstrates the greatest promise of future contributions in physics.

This award recognizes engineering students with the best academic record at the end of the third year of undergraduate study.

This award, established by the family and friends of the late Jack E. Froehlich (B.S. ’47, M.S. ’48, Ph.D. ’50), who did his undergraduate and graduate work at Caltech and was later the project manager for Explorer I for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, provides an award to one or two juniors in the upper 5 percent of their class who show outstanding promise for a creative professional career. The recipients are selected by the deans and the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee.

This award is given to rising seniors with academic excellence and outstanding leadership skills who have participated in the visual and performing arts program.

The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the United States, seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college juniors and seniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields.

This prize, awarded annually, recognizes an undergraduate student in any class for original research, an original paper or essay, or other evidence of creative scholarship beyond the normal requirements of specific courses. The student is selected by the deans and the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee.

The prize rewards outstanding performance and creativity by a Caltech undergraduate who completes one of the social science options. The prize was established by Susan G. Davis in recognition of David M. Grether’s contributions to econometrics and experimental economics and his service to the Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The prize is awarded annually by a committee of social science faculty.

This award recognizes graduate and undergraduate students who have provided exceptional service to the Caltech Y and/or the community. Recipients are selected based on their active involvement in Caltech Y service projects, demonstrated leadership in community and volunteer service efforts, and a strong spirit of service.

This award, established by the Board of Trustees, is in memory of Frederick W. Hinrichs, Jr., who served for more than 20 years as dean and professor at Caltech. In remembrance of his honor, courage, and kindness, the annual award is given to the senior (or seniors) who, throughout their undergraduate years, made the greatest contribution to the student body and whose qualities of character, leadership, and responsibility have been outstanding. At the discretion of the dean, more than one award may be made in any year.

The Hixon Prize for Writing was established in 2000 by Alexander P. and Adelaide F. Hixon. The prize will be awarded annually to an undergraduate student for the best composition in a first-year humanities course. The prize is administered by the writing center, and the winner will be chosen by a committee from the humanities division.

he Houses and Residences IDEA Award celebrates exceptional individuals who excel in fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment within the Houses and Residences. Their unwavering commitment ensures that each resident feels a deep sense of belonging and support. These leaders drive positive transformation by nurturing inclusive dialogues and instilling a strong sense of community through advocacy. Through their efforts, they create an environment where everyone can flourish in Houses and Residences.

This prize is given annually to a senior or seniors in the upper 20 percent of their class who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship and in the preparation of an outstanding piece of original scientific research. The students are selected by the deans and the Undergraduate Academic Standards and Honors Committee. At the discretion of the deans, more than one award may be given in any year. This prize is made possible by a gift from the late George W. Housner, Carl F Braun Professor of Engineering, Emeritus.

Initiated by the Hummel Family to honor Harry Gray, Caltech’s Arnold O. Beckman Professor of Chemistry and founding director of the Beckman Institute, this award was established through a generous joint gift from Carla and Paul Hummel, Patrick Hummel, and Shirley and Harry Gray. The fund supports student travel opportunities that promote professional and leadership development while broadening students’ perspectives as engaged, responsible citizens of the world.

This award is given to individuals who promote the needs and experiences of other students, staff, or faculty to challenge systemic barriers that impede individuals from contributing their skills and talents in the classroom, workplace, or community. Such actions include raising awareness, inspiring action, advocating for an equitable campus climate, and leading efforts to dismantle structural barriers upholding oppression, and discrimination.

This award is given to an individual who promotes the needs and experiences of all members of the Caltech community and challenges systemic barriers that impede members of marginalized identities from contributing their skills and talents at Caltech. Such actions include raising awareness, inspiring action, cultivating an inclusive environment, advocating for an equitable campus climate, and leading efforts to dismantle structural barriers that uphold oppression and discrimination.

This award is given to individuals who teach and inspire interest in inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in the community at large through learning experiences and service. This person takes the initiative to participate in civic engagement through volunteerism, service-learning, and teaching initiatives as a change agent in the community outside of Caltech.

Family and friends of Bibi Jentoft-Nilsen, class of 1989, have provided this award in her memory. This award recognizes a junior or senior who exhibits outstanding qualities of leadership and who actively contributes to the quality of student life at Caltech.

This prize is awarded to a graduating senior in physics who has produced an outstanding research project during the year.

This prize is awarded to one or two undergraduate women who are majoring in physics or astrophysics, and who have demonstrated academic excellence.

This award is given to a student who has improved the quality of student life at Caltech through their personal character. It recognizes the student who provides quiet support and kind encouragement to peers. This fund was established by Mr. Jose F. Helu Jr. (B.S. '79) to honor the memory of Mari Peterson Ligocki, who possessed these qualities.

This prize is awarded to undergraduate students for excellence in written and oral communication skills. Awards will be given in the following fields: English, history, and philosophy.

The Mary A. Earl McKinney Prize in Literature was established in 1946 by Samuel P. McKinney, M.D., of Los Angeles. Its purpose is to promote proficiency in writing. The terms under which it is given are decided each year by the literature faculty. It may be awarded for essays submitted in connection with regular literature classes or awarded on the basis of a special essay contest.

This award recognizes a B.S. candidate in mechanical engineering whose academic performance has demonstrated outstanding original thinking and creativity, as judged by a faculty committee appointed each year by the executive officer for mechanical engineering.

This award is given to one or more graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of chemistry.

Given in memory of geologist James Michelin, who worked in the oil fields of Southern California in the 1930s and dreamed of returning to college at Caltech, this annual prize recognizes one or more undergraduate students for their contributions to the field of geology or geophysics.

This prize recognizes one undergraduate students demonstrating outstanding achievements within the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering at Caltech.

This award is given to one or more undergraduate students who exhibit qualities of outstanding leadership, which are most often expressed as personal actions that have helped other people and that have inspired others to fulfill their capabilities. The scholarship was set up by Ametek in 1978 in honor of its president, Robert L. Noland, a Caltech alumnus.

These awards recognize student leaders who have made a significant impact on their Caltech community by demonstrating their efforts to improve the quality of campus life by displaying effective communication with Caltech administration and their peers. These leaders can be at any student level or within a team. They are determined by and at the discretion of the Office of Student Experience. The Office of Student Experience has presented awards such as: Student (Residential) Experience Leadership Award, Student (Residential) Experience Team Award, Student (Residential) Experience Outstanding Leader, Student (Residential) Experience Emerging Leader, Student Residential Life Award, and Student Experience Emerging Leadership.

The Outstanding Mentee Award is given to women who demonstrated a sincere desire to succeed as a researcher and is committed to her personal development, open and willing to learn from her mentor and receptive to advice and counsel, worked with her mentor to establish realistic goals and demonstrated a commitment to carrying them out.

The Rodman W. Paul History Prize was established in 1986 by some of his many colleagues and friends to honor Professor Paul’s 35 years of teaching and research at the Institute. The prize is awarded annually to a junior or senior who has shown unusual interest in and talent for history.

This prize is awarded to a sophomore or junior who demonstrates the potential to excel in the field of geology and who actively contributes to the quality of Caltech student life.

This award is given to individuals who are willing to share knowledge and enhance their mentee's professional and personal development. This person has provided emotional and moral support and encouragement while improving or helping facilitate access to career-related information and exposure to various professional resources. This awardee is someone who actively promotes their mentee's sense of competence, confidence, and belonging.

This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students for academic excellence, preferably in mathematics.

This prize is awarded to one or more sophomores, juniors, or seniors to fund an adventurous and challenging summer travel experience that expands the recipients’ cultural horizons and knowledge of the world.

This prize is awarded to one or more juniors or seniors in chemistry or chemical engineering on the basis of financial need and academic promise.

The Eleanor Searle Prize was established in 1999 by friends and colleagues to honor Eleanor Searle, who was the Edie and Lew Wasserman Professor of History at Caltech. The prize is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student whose work in history or the social sciences exemplifies Eleanor Searle’s interest in the use of power, government, and law.

This award recognizes a sophomore chemistry major for outstanding performance during their first year.

This prize is awarded to a sophomore Ph 11 alumnus, majoring in physics, to provide support for a summer research project conducted at Caltech. The winner is chosen based on passion, curiosity, and demonstrated ability.

This award is given one or more students who would find it difficult, without additional financial help, to engage in extracurricular and cultural activities. The recipients are selected on the basis of their capacity to take advantage of and to profit from these activities rather than on the basis of their scholastic standing.

The Hallett Smith Prize was established in 1997 to commemorate Professor Smith’s long career as one of this century’s most distinguished Renaissance scholars. The cash prize is given annually by the English faculty to the student who writes the best essay on English Literature.

This travel grant is awarded to a Caltech undergraduate who finds themselves at a crossroads and would benefit from time away from the academic community to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their future plans.

This prize provides support to a female undergraduate math major for a summer experience to enrich their mathematical education.

The Undergraduate Teaching in CMS Awards were established in 2016 with a gift from Microsoft and then endowed through the generosity of Thomas A. Tisch (BS ’61). The prize and honorarium are awarded to a graduate and an undergraduate student for outstanding teaching and course development in computing and mathematical sciences. Awardees are selected by a committee of CMS faculty members.

This prize is awarded to a first-year or sophomore who submits the best problems and solutions in mathematics.

The Fredrick J. Zeigler Memorial Award was established in 1989 to honor Fredrick J. Zeigler, a member of the class of 1976 and an applied mathematics major. This award recognizes an outstanding sophomore or junior in pure or applied mathematics for their excellence in scholarship as demonstrated in class activities or in the preparation of an original paper or essay in any subject area.

Note: Prizes and awards may be subject to federal and state income tax.