Washington, DC, January 6, 2026 —

The National Academy of Engineering has announced that Eric R. Fossum will receive the 2026 Charles Stark Draper Prize for Engineering in recognition of his groundbreaking innovation, development, and commercialization of the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) active pixel image sensor, widely known as the “camera-on-a-chip.” The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 18, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in the engineering field, the Charles Stark Draper Prize for Engineering celebrates individuals whose work has delivered profound benefits to society. The prize recognizes engineering achievements that enhance quality of life, expand access to information, and enable people to live more freely and comfortably. Presented every two years by the National Academy of Engineering with support from Draper, the award includes a monetary prize of $500,000.

Eric Fossum is a leading semiconductor physicist and engineer whose invention of the CMOS active pixel image sensor fundamentally reshaped the world of imaging. Initially designed to reduce the size and power requirements of cameras for NASA space missions, the technology made it possible to capture high-quality images with devices that are smaller, faster, and significantly more energy efficient. Today, this innovation sits at the heart of billions of smartphone cameras worldwide and supports a wide range of applications, including video conferencing, social media, medical imaging, automotive safety systems, industrial inspection, and space exploration. Fossum continues to advance imaging technology, extending its influence across both scientific research and daily life.

Fossum currently serves as the John H. Krehbiel Sr. Professor for Emerging Technologies at Dartmouth College’s Thayer School of Engineering. In this role, he teaches, leads the Ph.D. Innovation Program, and conducts advanced research in image sensor technologies. He also holds the position of Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer at Dartmouth. Earlier in his career, his work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology resulted in the breakthrough CMOS sensor concept. This innovation was later brought to market through Photobit, a company Fossum co-founded and helped guide until it was acquired by Micron. Even today, his invention remains the foundational technology behind an estimated seven billion cameras manufactured annually.

In more recent years, Fossum introduced the Quanta Image Sensor, a CMOS-based photon-counting sensor capable of delivering high-resolution images in extremely low-light environments. To commercialize this next-generation technology, he and several former Dartmouth students co-founded the company Gigajot. His entrepreneurial efforts also include serving as CEO of Siimpel, where he worked on MEMS-based autofocus solutions for smartphone cameras, as well as consulting for Samsung on the development of time-of-flight sensors. In addition, Fossum co-founded the International Image Sensor Society and served as its inaugural president.

Throughout his career, Fossum has received numerous honors for his contributions to engineering and technology. These include induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, election to the National Academy of Engineering, the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, the National Medal for Technology and Innovation, a Technical Emmy Award, the Edwin Land Medal, and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is also a fellow of both IEEE and Optica. Notably, around 20 CMOS cameras based on his technology were carried aboard the Mars 2020 Perseverance lander, rover, and helicopter.

Originally from Connecticut, Fossum earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and engineering from Trinity College in Connecticut, followed by a Ph.D. in engineering and applied science from Yale University. Over the course of his career, he has authored more than 300 technical publications and holds 185 U.S. patents. Outside of his professional work, he and his wife enjoy maintaining a small farm in New Hampshire. They are also strong supporters of the National Inventors Hall of Fame’s Camp Invention program, which aims to inspire young students to explore STEM fields and develop a passion for innovation.