On Jun. 22, 1961, the North Carolina Award for Science, the state’s highest civilian honor, was established by the General Assembly. The first medals for the North Carolina Award were given in 1964. The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources administers the award program.

State senator Robert Lee Humber of Pitt County (1898-1970) conceived the awards to recognize the superior achievements of North Carolinians in science, literature, the fine arts, and public service. The first medals were awarded in 1964 to five recipients. Up to six awards may be presented each year.

Since its inception, more than 250 notable men and women have been honored by the state of North Carolina. Recipients include William Friday, Romare Bearden, James Taylor, Gertrude Elion, John Hope Franklin, David Brinkley, Maya Angelou, Billy Graham, Branford Marsalis, Loretta Lynch, and Philip Freelon.