2026 AI Awards
The Penn State AI Hub is a forum for connecting the many AI activities, research and educational outreach contributions across Penn State University.
As part of the hub, the four AI centers — Center for Applications of AI and Machine Learning to Industry (AIMI), Center for Artificial Intelligence Foundations and Engineered Systems (CAFE), Center for Artificial Intelligence Foundations and Scientific Applications (CENSAI) and the Center for Socially Responsible AI (CSRAI) — are inviting nominations for the 2026 AI Awards.
Nominations
Nominations can be made by any Penn State individual — staff, faculty, student or alumni. Self-nominations are also accepted.
Research, activities or contributions must have been made after May 31, 2024, and before April 17, 2026, in order to be considered as an eligible nomination.
The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, April 17, 2026, by 5 p.m. EST.
Applicants without an active Penn State Access account will need to Register an account with InfoReady using the instructions here.
Awards
AI Societal Impact Award
This award will recognize an AI innovation that has the greatest potential for impact on society. It can be a peer-reviewed paper which has resulted in the development of software/hardware packages that benefit the broader community, a prototype that has influenced practice, enhanced educational outreach activities, or commercial start-up ideas, or a project that makes a significant contribution to advancement of knowledge and practices related to socially responsible development and deployment of AI. Contributions that have received external recognition are eligible to participate.
Nomination Process:
Nominations should include all this information in a single PDF file:
- A one-page summary of the contribution and its impact.
- Link to a video recording of three minutes or less highlighting the contribution in manner that is accessible to the broad Penn State community. Video recording needs to be provided as a downloadable web link, preferably using Penn State Onedrive.
- A statement indicating that you agree to the video being used by Penn State AI HUB for highlighting AI progress at Penn State.
Best Undergraduate (honors) Thesis or Senior Project related to AI within Penn State
Nomination Process:
Nomination should include the following documents, in sequence, in a single PDF file:
- A one-page summary of the contributions of the research and its impact.
- External recognition for this research. This could include peer-reviewed publications, prizes, patents, commercialization, etc. This should not exceed one page.
- A letter from the primary research advisor or any research mentor familiar with the research. Research mentors can be from the industry or a faculty member at Penn State involved with this research.
Submit Best Undergraduate Thesis Award nominations via InfoReady.
Best Master’s Thesis in AI related discipline within Penn State
Nomination Process:
Nomination should include the following documents, in sequence, in a single PDF file:
- A one-page summary of the contributions of the research and its impact.
- External recognition for this research. This could include peer-reviewed publications, prizes, patents, commercialization, etc. This should not exceed one page
- A letter from the primary research advisor or any research mentor familiar with the research. Research mentors can be from the industry or a faculty member at Penn State involved with this research.
Submit nominations for the Best Master’s Thesis in AI Award via InfoReady.
Best Doctoral Dissertation in AI related discipline within Penn State
Nomination Process:
Nomination should include the following documents, in sequence, in a single PDF file:
- A one-page summary of the contributions of the research and its impact.
- A one-page description of external recognitions for this research (if any). This could include peer-reviewed publications, prizes, patents, commercialization, etc.
- A letter from the primary research advisor or any research mentor familiar with the research. Research mentor can be from the industry or a faculty member at Penn State involved in this research.
- Additional two reference names who may be contacted, if needed. Include name, affiliation, position, email address and a phone number for each reference. Letters are not needed at this time, only contact information.
Submit Best Doctoral Dissertation in AI Award nominations via InfoReady.
Questions?
For any clarifications or questions regarding awards, eligibility, upcoming awards, or requirements for nominations, please contact Vijaykrishnan Narayanan, Evan Pugh University Professor and director of the Penn State Center for Artificial Intelligence Foundations and Engineered Systems, at vxn9@psu.edu.