IFMBE Awards and Recognition

The IFMBE Administrative Council has approved the following new version of the Awards and Recognition section of the IFMBE Policies. In addition to some adjustments two new awards have been created named after two great bioengineers from the time when IFMBE was created.

The IFMBE shall recognize individuals who make exceptional contributions to the field of medical and biological engineering or provide outstanding service to the profession and to the IFMBE. The IFMBE encourages the formation of nominating committees in geographical regions, specialized divisions, working groups and technical working entities to recognize such individuals and forward their names to the appropriate committee for consideration.   

The committees shall nominate for recognition by the IFMBE individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in research, education or services for the benefit of the profession; made significant enhancements to the interests and activities of the Federation or the profession; or effected extraordinary accomplishments that enhance health and quality of life for all people around the world. A nomination shall include a curriculum vitae with a detailed proposal addressing the criteria for the award.   

All awards shall be coordinated by an IFMBE Awards Committee. The chair of the Awards Committee shall be a member of the Administrative Council, selected by the Administrative Council at its regular meeting. Members of the committee shall be appointed by the Chair from among the membership of the IFMBE's constituent organizations. The Committee responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to reviewing proposals for new awards and reporting their decision and recommendation to the Administrative Council for the Council's decision. The Committee shall also be responsible for appropriate scheduling and for assisting in seeking funds for the awards. The establishment of an award requires the approval of the Administrative Council by a majority vote.   

Once an award has been established, the President shall appoint a chair of a committee to manage the award. Members of the committee shall be appointed by the Chair from among the membership of the IFMBE's constituent organizations. The committee shall be responsible for soliciting and evaluating nominations and recommending the recipient(s) to the Administrative Council.   

Final approval of all award recipients shall be the responsibility of the Administrative Council. Approval shall be by a majority vote of voting members attending the regular meeting of the Council or, if a mail ballot is used, by a majority of members who vote within the allotted time.

4.1. IUPESM Merit Award

The IUPESM confers two Merit Awards to recognize a medical physicist and a biomedical engineer. The IUPESM bylaws delineate the procedure for this award. This section describes the portions applicable to the IFMBE. 4.1.1 Title: The award shall be called the IUPESM Award of Merit and shall consist of a plaque and expenses to travel to the World Congress to present an address (not to exceed $2,000. US).

4.1.2 Reason: The Award is to recognize a Biomedical Engineer who has established a distinguished career in Biomedical Engineering.

4.1.3 Criteria: The primary criteria for nominating an Awardee are:

• The nominee should have exerted a significant impact upon the science and scientific practice of Biomedical Engineering,
• The nominee has significantly influenced the development of the profession of Biomedical Engineering,
• The nominees' activities in national and/or international organization for Biomedical Engineering have been meritorious.

4.1.4 Nominations: Nominations may be made by IUPESM or IFMBE

• A curriculum vitae is to be submitted together with the proposal with special attention to the criteria under Criteria.
• Nominations have to be submitted to the Chairman of the Merit Award Committee, at least 12 months prior to the next World Congress.

4.1.5 Committees: The Award Committee shall consist of two subcommittees chaired by the Vice President of the IUPESM

• Each subcommittee shall consist of 3 representatives of each member organisation.
• Each member shall have one vote, except for the Chairman, who votes only to break a tie.

4.1.6 Selection: Each Award Subcommittee selects one Awardee for submission to the President of the IUPESM. This selection is to be submitted six months prior to the forthcoming World Congress.

4.1.7 Presentation: The IUPESM Awards of Merit will be awarded on the occasion of the forthcoming World Congress. The Awardees shall be notified by the President of the IUPESM at least 4 months prior to the Congress.

4.1.8 Financial: The IFMBE, IOMP and the IUPESM and the organisers of the World Congress will provide reasonable financial support for the participation of the Awardees in the Congress.

4.2 Otto Schmitt Award

4.2.1 Description: For exceptional contributions to the advancement of the field of medical and biological engineering.

4.2.2 Eligibility: Must be a member of an IFMBE affiliated organization.

4.2.3 Prize: Plaque, Travel funds to attend the World Congress.

4.2.4 Schmitt Committee Chair: Appointed by the President.

4.2.5 Schmitt committee: At least four additional members selected by the Chair from the membership of the IFMBE's constituent organizations.

4.2.6 Schedule: Nominations due to the Otto Schmitt Committee by 1 December of the year preceding the World Congress.

4.2.7 Selection criteria: Innovation, Leadership, Seminal contributions to medical and biological engineering.

4.2.8 Presentation of award: Presentations at the IUPESM Congress. Additional presentations at regional events are recommended but no additional funds will be allocated.

4.2.9 Publicity: In IFMBE publications, in publication of affiliated societies and other, as appropriate.

4.3 Vladimir K. Zworykin Award

4.3.1 Description: For outstanding research contributions in the field of Medical and Biological Engineering.

4.3.2 Eligibility: Must be a member of an IFMBE affiliated organization.

4.3.3 Prize: Plaque, Travel funds to attend the World Congress.

4.3.4 Zworykin Committee Chair: Appointed by the President.

4.3.5 Zworykin committee: At least 4 additional members selected by the Chair from the membership of the IFMBE's constituent organizations.

4.3.6 Schedule: Nominations due to the Vladimir Zworykin Committee by 1 December of the year preceding the World Congress.

4.3.7 Selection criteria: Innovation, out-standing research contributions to medical and biological engineering.

4.3.8 Presentation of award: Presentations at the IUPESM Congress. Additional presentations at regional events are recommended but no additional funds will be allocated.

4.3.9 Publicity: In IFMBE publications, in publication of affiliated societies and other, as appropriate.

4.4. Fellow, International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering

The International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (The Academy) is an individual member organization of the IFMBE. Its purpose and operation are defined by its Bylaws.

4.4.1 Membership: There are two categories of membership in the Academy: Fellow and Fellow Emeritus.

4.4.2 Election to the Academy: Fellows shall be persons who have distinguished themselves in the field of medical and biological engineering. A person shall be qualified to be a candidate for Fellow who has made identifiable contributions in one or both of the following categories:

1. Important contributions to the theory or practice of medical and biological engineering.
2. Demonstration of unusual accomplishment in promoting the field of medical and biological engineering.

Fellows shall have participated in and contributed to education and academe, industry, government, and/or health care. Technical and professional interests of the Fellows should reflect the diversity of the field of medical and biological engineering. Fellows shall be appropriately representative of all the member societies of IFMBE.

4.4.3 Nominations: Candidates for Fellow may be recommended by any member of the Academy, i.e. Fellows or Fellows Emeritus, or by any member society, division, and working group of IFMBE.

4.4.4 Elections: The Committee on Membership of the Academy shall select nominees for election from the candidates submitted. Election of Fellows shall be determined by a mail ballot of existing Fellows. Election shall be by a 2/3 majority of ballots received by the time specified in the ballot instructions.

4.4.5 Schedule: An election shall be conducted once every three years, at least six months prior to the International Congress.

4.4.6. Fellow Emeritus: Fellow Emeritus status may be conferred upon Fellows who meet the following criteria: 1.They have been Fellows in good standing. 2.They are fully retired or have emeritus status from a university; are fully retired from business or industry; are at least 65 years of age; or have been a Fellow in good standing for at least 10 years

4.4.7 Announcement of Election: At the IUPESM Congress. Additional presentations at regional events are recommended. 4.4.8 Publicity: In IFMBE publications, in publication of affiliated societies and other, as appropriate.

4.5. Honorary Life Members

The IFMBE confers the title of "Honorary Life Member" to a select group of individuals. Honorary Life membership is defined in the IFMBE Constitution.

4.5.1 Criteria: The title of Honorary Life Member is bestowed on individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the Federation.

4.5.2 Nomination: Candidates for Honorary Life membership shall be made to the IFMBE Awards Committee. Nominations can be made by any member of an affiliated entity of the Federation or by the IFMBE Awards Committee.

4.5.3 Elections: Honorary Life members shall be recommended for election from the list of nominations. The Awards Committee shall forward its recommendations to the Administrative Council of the IFMBE for approval. Approval by the Administrative Council shall be by a majority vote of the voting members of the Council.

4.5.4 Schedule: Honorary Life members can be nominated at any time. Candidates for election shall be recommended at a meeting of the Awards Board and forwarded for Council action at its regular business meeting.

4.5.5 Announcement of Election: At the IUPESM Congress. Additional announcements at regional events are recommended.

4.5.6 Publicity: In IFMBE publications, in publication of affiliated societies and other, as appropriate.