It is the highest honor the United States can confer to a US citizen for achievements related to technological progress.

[2] On August 9, 2007, President George Bush signed the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act of 2007.

All nominations are referred to the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Evaluation Committee, which issues recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

The Secretary of Commerce is then able to advise the President of the United States as to which candidates ought to receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

The new National Medal of Technology and Innovation laureates are then announced by the U.S. president once the final selections have been made.