Since its founding in 1980, the Center has awarded external fellowships to more than 550 faculty from nearly 100 universities in the United States and in other countries.

For many years the Center also awarded the J Robert Oppenheimer Prize to recognize physics research.

In 1991, the Center for Music Drama Academy awarded him for his contribution to music.

In 2012 the Center awarded 61 grants totaling $5,970,355, ranging from $20,000 to $250,000.

In June 2007, the Center awarded its first annual "Mayors' Climate Protection Awards" to leading mayors.

Since its 1999 inception, the Center has awarded grants to 61 organizations headquartered in 25 different states and the District of Columbia.

Since 2000, the Center for Civic Innovation has awarded the annual Urban Innovator Award to urban leaders with "effective approaches to improving life in America's cities".

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded the department $345,000 to initiate statewide efforts to control obesity.

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta awarded a $343 million contract for making smallpox vaccine.

The Center has awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor since 1998.