The annual Computer History Museum Fellow Awards program publicly recognizes individuals of outstanding merit who have significantly contributed to the development of computing broadly-defined. Chosen on the basis of accomplishment—formal education is not a factor—Fellows are nominated by the Museum’s community and selected by a panel composed of Museum staff, historians, industry peers, and other Computer History Museum Fellows.

Sufficient time must have elapsed between a specific contribution and an individual's nomination in order to properly assess the historical importance of his/her achievements. No preference is given to accomplishments in software or hardware, to computer science over electrical engineering or any other formal discipline, to commercial success, or to the nominee's age.

Each year, a “who’s who” of the technology world assembles at the museum for a banquet and ceremony to honor these industry leaders who have forever changed the world with their accomplishments. The event is made possible through corporate and individual sponsorships. Individual tables and tickets are also available.