ACM Eugene L. Lawler Award for Humanitarian Contributions within Computer Science

The Eugene L. Lawler Award for Humanitarian Contributions within Computer Science and Informatics recognizes an individual or group who has made a significant contribution through the use of computing technology. The award is presented in alternate years, at the June Awards Banquet and is accompanied by a prize of $5,000 plus travel expenses to the banquet.

Next Deadline

December 15, 2026 - End of Day, Anywhere on Earth (EoD, AoE, UTC -12 hrs.)

Selection Criteria

The award is defined broadly. The professional credentials of the recipient(s) are not important and s/he need not have earned a degree, published a paper, or even be considered a computing professional.  The committee evaluates nominations on the basis of the candidate’s impact in terms of humanitarian contributions within the field of computing.  Some examples of the types of contributions that might be recognized are:  application of computer technology to aid individuals with a disability; educational contributions using computers or computer science in inner city schools; creative research concerning intellectual property issues; expansion of educational opportunities in computer science for women and underrepresented minorities; or application of computers or computing techniques to the problems of developing countries.

Submissions

Nominations for the Eugene L. Lawler Award should be submitted using the online nomination form.  Guidelines for nominators and endorsers can be found here.   Each nomination involves several components:

• Name, address, phone number, and email address of nominator (person making the nomination).  The most appropriate person to submit a nomination would be a recognized member of the community who is not from the same organization as the candidate and who can address the candidate’s impact on the broader community.
• Name, address, and email address of the candidate (person being nominated).  It is ACM’s policy not to tell candidates who has nominated or endorsed them.
• Nominators will be required to indicate whether they are aware of any actions committed by the candidate/s that violates ACM's Code of Ethics or Core Values.
• Suggested citation if the candidate is selected.  This should be a concise statement (maximum of 25 words) describing the key technical or professional accomplishment for which the candidate merits this award.  Note that the final wording for awardees will be at the discretion of the Award Committee.
• Nomination statement (200-500 words in length) addressing why the candidate should receive this award.  This may describe the candidate’s work in general, but should draw particular attention to the contributions that merit the award.
• Copy of the candidate’s CV, listing publications, patents, honors, service contributions, etc.
• Supporting letters from at least 3, and not more than 5, endorsers.  Endorsers should be chosen to represent a range of perspectives and institutions and provide additional insights or evidence of the candidate’s impact.  Each letter must include the name, address, and telephone number of the endorser, and should focus on the accomplishments which that endorser can attest to and place in context.  The nominator should collect the letters and bundle them for submission. Please Note: Nominators will need to provide a valid email for each endorser. Endorsers will receive an email from [email protected] containing a secure link to the Code of Ethics attestation form, and will be required to indicate whether they are aware of any actions committed by the candidate/s that violates ACM's Code of Ethics or Core Values.

For questions on the above, please contact us at [email protected], or Jade Morris, ACM Awards Committee Liaison.  ACM's conflict-of-interest guidelines apply to all award nominations.