The Fraunhofer Award was established in 1982 to recognize significant accomplishments in the field of optical engineering. Established in 1992, the accompanying prize honors the memory of Robert M. Burley, who exemplified many of the highest attributes of the optical engineer and was the first recipient of the Fraunhofer Award. The award is made possible by an endowment from the Baird Corporation.

Winners

2008	Ursula Keller
2007	J. Roger P. Angel
2006	Susumu Noda
2005	G. Michael Morris
2004	C. Randy Giles
2003	Yoshiki Ichioka
2002	Daniel Malacara
2001	Warren J. Smith
2000	Philip St John Russell
1999	David Fairbanks Welch
1998	James Robert Leger
1997	William T. Plummer
1996	Jerry Earl Nelson
1995	Joseph Apfel
1994	Isaak Ya. Barsky Garry V. Papayan
1993	Erwin G. Loewen
1992	James C. Wyant
1991	James G. Baker
1990	Thomas I. Harris
1989	Parameswaran Hariharan
1988	James M. Burch
1987	Jerzy A. Dobrowolski
1986	David S. Grey
1985	Peter K. Runge
1984	Donald R. Herriott
1983	Robert E. Hopkins
1982	Robert M. Burley