Presented annually since 1986, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor are among the nation’s most prestigious awards, with recipients entered into the Congressional Record each year. The Medal recognizes inspiring Americans whose selfless contributions strengthen our country and its people.
Since its founding, the Medal has honored a diverse group of distinguished leaders, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and Joe Biden, along with six other U.S. Presidents. Notable recipients include John Sculley, Eric Schmidt, Ajay Banga, Ginni Rometty, Indra Nooyi, Nobel laureates Elie Wiesel and Malala Yousafzai, Senator John McCain, Muhammad Ali, and Lee Iacocca, among many others.
A complete list of Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients can be found in our Medalist Archives.
2027 Nomination Criteria
Nominations are closed for 2026 - Nominations for 2027 will re-open in June 2026
INTEGRITY The nominee should be a person of integrity who has done, or been the impetus for, an honorable act that exemplifies their character and reputation
PASSION Discuss how passion has led the nominee to focus their lives on a social cause, an ideological concept, a humanitarian philosophy, etc.
GRAVITAS Consider if the nominee received any academic, professional and humanitarian accolades. Please mention any objective peer-reviewed awards or citations, innovations, inventions or humanitarian recognition’s
HUMANITARIAN Detail the nominee’s commitment and efforts on behalf of humanitarian causes. Humanitarian efforts should be considered beyond financial contributions. Please describe how their personal time and passion have helped move their cause forward
ETHNIC HERITAGE Describe how the individual honors their ethnic heritage, how they promote it and/or what have they contributed to
+ For naturalized Americans, consider how they have integrated themselves into our national identity
+ For native-born Americans, please consider the individual’s contributions to their self-identified ethnic homeland, as well as their professional and personal achievements
Please note that the Medal is not awarded posthumously