2026 Awards Ceremony & Dinner
April 30, 2026
5:30pm to 11:00pm
For over two centuries, the Franklin Institute Awards has honored the most talented scientists and engineers, inventors and innovators from across the globe and brought them to Philadelphia to be recognized for their incredible genius. The annual black-tie Awards Ceremony & Dinner includes a cocktail reception, the Awards ceremony and presentation of medals, followed by dinner, drinks and dessert all within the historic walls of The Franklin Institute. The essential funds raised from this event help to fulfill our mission to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology in the diverse communities we serve, encouraging the next generation of Franklin laureates.
The 2026 Awards event will be led by Awards Corporate Committee Chair David Greed of KPMG and Host Committee Chairs Stephen and Michelle Kelly.
2025 Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony & Dinner Highlights
During our Awards Week from April 28-May 2, 2025, The Franklin Institute Awards paid tribute to our namesake and America’s first citizen scientist, Benjamin Franklin, by honoring the greatest minds in science, engineering, and industry. The week culminated in the black-tie Awards Ceremony & Dinner, emceed by TFI’s Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts. We are grateful to our event leadership, Awards Corporate Committee Chair Jami McKeon of Morgan Lewis & Bockius, and Host Committee Chairs Barbara Klock, M.D. and Salem Shuchman. Thanks to our generous sponsors, supporters, and guests, we raised a record-setting $1.13 million to support making informal science and technology education more equitable and accessible by providing free and deeply discounted admission for students and teachers from Title I schools and youth and families from under-resourced communities. Thank you for your generosity!
2025 Sponsor Listing
Watch the 2025 Ceremony
2025 Photo Gallery
Password: bensbifocals
For event information, contact:
Tegan Aherne-Dixon, Manager, Development Events
tahernedixon@fi.edu
215.448.1352
For information on sponsorships, contact:
Casey Satell, Director of Institutional Giving
csatell@fi.edu
215.448.2378
Presenting Sponsor
Awards Week Sponsor
