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As authorized by Acts of Congress, each year since 1913, the National Institute has presented Gold Medals for Distinguished Service to Humanity to extraordinary individuals who have made the highest contribution to the improvement of society.

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Peg Breen to Receive 2026 Gold Honor Medal

The National Institute of Social Sciences is delighted to announce Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, as one of the 2026 Honorees for its Gold Honor Medal for distinguished service to society and humanity. The National Institute will celebrate Ms Breen and our other Honorees at the 112th Annual Gold Medal Gala, which will be held in person in New York City on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.

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Jimmy Wales to Receive 2026 Gold Honor Medal

The National Institute of Social Sciences is delighted to announce Jimmy Wales, founder of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, as one of the 2026 Honorees for its Gold Honor Medal for distinguished service to society and humanity. The National Institute will celebrate Mr. Wales and our other Honorees at the 112th Annual Gold Medal Gala, which will be held in person in New York City on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.

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Jon Meacham to Receive 2026 Gold Honor Medal

The National Institute of Social Sciences is delighted to announce Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, historian, and writer, as one of the 2026 Honorees for its Gold Honor Medal for distinguished service to society and humanity. The National Institute will celebrate Mr. Meacham and our other Honorees at the 112th Annual Gold Medal Gala, which will be held in person in New York City on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.

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Louise Mirrer to Receive 2026 Gold Honor Medal

The National Institute of Social Sciences is delighted to announce Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of The New York Historical, as one of the 2026 Honorees for its Gold Honor Medal for distinguished service to society and humanity. The National Institute will celebrate Dr. Mirrer and our other Honorees at the 112th Annual Gold Medal Gala, which will be held in person in New York City on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.

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In Memoriam: Agnes Gund

The Board of Trustees and Officers of the National Institute of Social Sciences are saddened to inform you of the death of 2010 Gold Medal Honoree Agnes Gund. Ms Gund passed away on September 18, 2025 in New York City. She was 87 years old.

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Christopher Eisgruber to Receive 2025 Gold Honor Medal

The National Institute of Social Sciences is delighted to announce Christopher Eisgruber, President of Princeton University, as one of the 2025 Honorees for its Gold Honor Medal for distinguished service to society and humanity. President Eisgruber and the other Honorees will be celebrated at the 111th Gold Medal Gala, which will be held in person in New York City on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

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Alison Gopnik to Receive 2025 Gold Honor Medal

The National Institute of Social Sciences is delighted to announce Alison Gopnik, developmental psychologist, cognitive scientist, and philosopher of mind at UC Berkeley, as one of the 2025 Honorees for its Gold Honor Medal for distinguished service to society and humanity. Professor Gopnik and the other Honorees will be celebrated at the 111th Gold Medal Gala, which will be held in person in New York City on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

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Claudia Goldin to Receive 2025 Gold Honor Medal

The National Institute of Social Sciences is delighted to announce Claudia Goldin, Nobel Prize-winning labor economist at Harvard University, as one of the 2025 Honorees for its Gold Honor Medal for distinguished service to society and humanity. Professor Goldin and the other Honorees will be celebrated at the 111th Gold Medal Gala, which will be held in person in New York City on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

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