THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICE AWARD IS BESTOWED BY THE ACADEMY BOARD OF GOVERNORS UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AWARDS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. IT IS GIVEN “TO AN INDIVIDUAL IN RECOGNITION OF EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE TO THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY.”
 

The first Scientific and Technical Service Award, known at the time as the Medal of Commendation, was awarded in 1977. It is not necessarily given every year.

Between 1997 and 2024, the Scientific and Technical Service Award was named the John A. Bonner Award.