The Breakthrough Prizes are a set of international awards bestowed in three categories by the Breakthrough Prize Board in recognition of scientific advances.[1][2] The awards are part of several "Breakthrough" initiatives founded and funded by Yuri Milner and his wife Julia Milner, along with Breakthrough Initiatives and Breakthrough Junior Challenge.
- Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics
- Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
- Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
| The Breakthrough Prize | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded for | Outstanding contributions in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics |
| Presented by | Breakthrough Prize Board |
| First awarded | 2012 |
| Website | breakthroughprize |
The Breakthrough Prizes were founded by Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Yuri and Julia Milner, and Anne Wojcicki. The Prizes have been sponsored by the personal foundations established by Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Ma Huateng, Jack Ma, Yuri and Julia Milner, and Anne Wojcicki.[3] Committees of previous laureates choose the winners from candidates nominated in a process that is online and open to the public.[3]
Laureates receive $3 million each in prize money. They attend a televised award ceremony designed to celebrate their achievements and inspire the next generation of scientists. As part of the ceremony schedule, they also engage in a program of lectures and discussions. Those that go on to make fresh discoveries remain eligible for future Breakthrough Prizes.[3]
Trophy
editThe trophy was created by artist Olafur Eliasson. Like much of Eliasson's work, the sculpture explores the common ground between art and science. It is molded into the shape of a toroid, recalling natural forms found from black holes and galaxies to seashells and coils of DNA.[4]
Ceremonies
edit| # | Ceremony | Date | Year | Host(s) | Network | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2013 Fundamental Physics Prize Ceremony | March 20, 2013 | 2012 | Morgan Freeman | None | Geneva, Switzerland |
| 2nd | 2014 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | December 12, 2013 | 2013 | Kevin Spacey | Science Channel | Hangar One, Mountain View, California |
| 3rd | 2015 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | November 9, 2014 | 2014 | Seth MacFarlane | Discovery Channel & Science Channel (U.S.) BBC World News (worldwide) | |
| 4th | 2016 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | November 8, 2015 | 2015 | National Geographic FOX | ||
| 5th | 2017 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | December 4, 2016 | 2016 | Morgan Freeman | ||
| 6th | 2018 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | November 3, 2017 | 2017 | National Geographic | ||
| 7th | 2019 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | November 4, 2018 | 2018 | Pierce Brosnan | ||
| 8th | 2020 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | November 3, 2019 | 2019 | James Corden | ||
| 9th | 2023 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | April 15, 2023 | 2020–2022 | YouTube | Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Hollywood, Los Angeles | |
| 10th | 2024 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony | April 13, 2024 | 2023 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "$22m science prize winners announced". BBC News. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ Knapp, Alex. "2022 Breakthrough Prizes Announced: mRNA Vaccine Pioneers Awarded $3 Million". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
- ^ a b c "Breakthrough Prize – About". breakthroughprize.org. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ "Breakthrough Prize: Trophy". Breakthrough Prize. Retrieved 2023-12-16.