“ Not more than twenty individuals may be awarded the Medal in any one calendar year. (2) No individual may be awarded the Medal unless at the time such award is made he— (i) is a citizen or other national of the United States; or (ii) is an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residents who (A) has filed a petition for naturalization in the manner prescribed by section 334 (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and (B) is not permanently ineligible to become a citizen of the United States. ”

“ The President shall award the Medal on the basis of recommendations received by him in accordance with the provisions of this order to individuals who in his judgment are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences. ”