The Eli Whitney Productivity Award is part of the International Honor Awards, and is awarded for distinguished accomplishments in improving capability within the broad concept of orderly production.

Nomination Eligibility & Requirements

• Nominations can be submitted for both U.S. and international citizens.
• Nominees must have made significant contributions to the field of manufacturing.

To submit an International Honor Award nomination:

• Download the nomination form (MS WORD)
• Verify that the nominee meets all of the outlined eligibility requirements.
• Include three (3) letters of recommendation, preferably on letterhead; one letter should be submitted by the nominator, which briefly highlights the accomplishments of the nominee. Note: Self-nominations and/or submissions will not be accepted.
• Submit, as thoroughly as possible, supporting information (publications, innovations, patents) on the nomination form.

Send completed nomination form(s) and recommendation letters no later than Aug. 1 of each year to: 

SME International Awards & Recognition Committee 
c/o Executive Offices 
SME 
1000 Town Center, Suite 1910, Southfield, MI 48075
Fax: 313.425.3406 | Email: nominations@sme.org

Recent Award Winner

Jay Lee, PhD, FSME

Jay Lee, PhD, FSME, is the founding director of the NSF I/UCRC on Intelligent Maintenance Systems, which was selected as the most economically impactful I/UCRC in the NSF Economic Impact Study Report in 2012.

2022 International Honor Awards Recipients