The Staff Excellence Awards program recognizes the significant contributions School of Science staff members make to the MIT community, particularly for accomplishments that go beyond their typical roles and duties.

Each year, the school calls for nominations and holds a celebration to honor the recipients of the Infinite Mile and the Infinite Expansion Awards.

Past winners are listed here.

Infinite Mile Award

Since 2001, the School of Science has presented Infinite Mile Awards to more than 300 of its members based on the nominations of their colleagues. Our award winners go the extra mile and beyond to make MIT a better place, whether that’s by mentoring fellow community members, innovating new solutions to problems big and small, building their communities, or going far above and beyond their job description to support the goals of their home departments, labs, and research centers. Submit a nomination by February 21, 2025.

Infinite Expansion Award

The Infinite Expansion (Kilometer) Award was created in 2012 to highlight the contributions of postdoctoral scholars, research scientists (or equivalents), and instructors. Award recipients are not only exceptional scientists, but they also show deep commitment to junior colleagues, participating in our educational programs, working with the MIT Postdoctoral Association, or contributing some other way to the Institute. The nomination period has closed. Check back in fall 2025 to submit a nomination.

Spot Award

Any member of the MIT School of Science community may nominate another member or members of our community for a Spot Award to acknowledge and demonstrate appreciation and recognition for the exceptional contributions of individuals and teams, large or small, to the School of Science community. Nominations can be made at any time and award winners will receive a token of your appreciation soon after. Please contact the specific DLCI HQ about how to nominate someone in their unit.

MIT Excellence Awards + Collier Medal

The MIT Excellence Awards + Collier Medal acknowledge the extraordinary efforts made by members of our community toward fulfilling the goals, values, and mission of the Institute.