U.S. President Barack Obama has named 94 researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the White House said. The award is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers, a White House release said Monday. "It is inspiring to see the innovative work being done by these scientists and engineers as they ramp up their careers -- careers that I know will be not only personally rewarding but also invaluable to the Nation," the president said. "That so many of them are also devoting time to mentoring and other forms of community service speaks volumes about their potential for leadership, not only as scientists but as model citizens." Awards were given to scientists and engineers working in a number of federal executive departments and in the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, the National Science Foundation and at the Smithsonian Institution, the White House said.