Science Prizes

Major Scientific Awards 

Lasker Award

For 61 years, the Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards have celebrated scientists, physicians, and public servants whose accomplishments have made major advances in the understanding, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and even cure of many of the great crippling and killing diseases of our century. The Lasker Awards have come to be known as "America's Nobels" and is the most coveted award in medical science.

The Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize is the first international award given yearly since 1901 for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. In 1968, the Sveriges Riksbank (Bank of Sweden) instituted the Prize in Economic Sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma, and prize amount.

National Medal of Science

Also known as "The Presidential Medal of Science".

The National Medal of Science was established by the 86th Congress in 1959 as a Presidential Award to be given to individuals "deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences." In 1980 Congress expanded this recognition to include the social and behavioral sciences.

Gairdner Foundation International Award

The Gairdner Foundation recognizes the world's top medical research scientists via the Gairdner International Awards.

Since 1957, when the Gairdners were founded by the late Toronto businessman, James Gairdner, some 65 Gairdner winners have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.

Today, the "Gairdners" are one of the most prestigious awards in all of science, selected by an independent Medical Advisory Board and a rigorous nomination process. The awards are given out each October in Toronto as part of a two-week national program that sees Gairdner winners past and present lecture at medical schools in over a dozen cities across Canada, including a two-day Symposium in Toronto.

The Enrico Fermi Award

The Enrico Fermi Award is a Presidential award, one of the oldest and most prestigious science and technology awards given by the U.S. Government. It recognizes scientists of international stature for their lifetimes of exceptional achievement in the development, use, control, or production of energy (broadly defined to include the science and technology of nuclear, atomic, molecular, and particle interactions and their effects on mankind and the environment).

Copley Medal

Given by The Royal Society (UK), this medal is given annually for outstanding achievements in research in any branch of science, and alternates between the physical sciences and the biological sciences.

The medal is of silver gilt and a gift of £5000 accompanies it.

The Copley medal was first awarded in 1731, and during its long history it has been awarded to such luminaries as Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Jean Foucault.

Fields Medal

Sometimes refered to as "the Nobel Prize of Mathematics," the Fields Medal was first awarded in 1936. It is awarded only to mathematicians no older than forty because it is supposed to be in recognition of work already done and encouragement for further achievement on the part of the recipients and a stimulus to renewed effort on the part of others.

Other Science Awards 

Which Aren't As Major

Crafoord Prize

Anna-Greta and Holger Crafoord's Fund was established in 1980 to promote basic research in mathematics, astronomy, the biosciences (particularly ecology), the geosciences and polyarthritis. Support for research takes the form of an international prize awarded annually to outstanding scientists, and of research grants to individuals or institutions in Sweden. The awards are made according to the order mathematics, geosciences, biosciences, astronomy, geosciences, biosciences, mathematics and so on.

Clair C. Patterson Award

for a recent innovative breakthrough in environmental geochemistry of fundamental significance, published in a peer-reviewed journal.

The Darwin Medal

Given by The Royal Society (UK), this silver medal is given biennially (in even years) in reward for work of acknowledged distinction in the broad area of biology in which Charles Darwin worked, notably in evolution, population biology, organismal biology and biological diversity. A gift of £1000 accompanies the medal.

The Davy Medal

Given by The Royal Society (UK), this medal is awarded annually for an outstandingly important recent discovery in any branch of chemistry.

First awarded in 1877, the medal is bronze and a gift of £1000 accompanies it.

Dickson Prize in Science

The Dickson Prize was established by a gift to Carnegie Mellon from the estate of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Dickson to fund an annual prize to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science in the United States. Dr. Dickson was a prominent physician in the Pittsburgh area, and it was his wish to bring as much prestige and honor as possible to the university and to Pittsburgh with this award. Since 1970, the university has awarded the Dickson Prize to prominent researchers in such areas as mathematics, cell biology, civil engineering, metallurgy, computer science, genetics and physics.

Ernst Schering Prize

Every year, the Ernst Schering Foundation awards the Ernst Schering Prize of %u20AC 50,000 for particularly outstanding work in the field of scientific basic research.

The Hughes Medal

Given by The Royal Society (UK), the Hughes Medal is awarded annually in recognition of an original discovery in the physical sciences, particularly electricity and magnetism or their applications.

First awarded in 1902, the medal is silver gilt and is accompanied by a gift of £1000.

Kyoto Prize

Japan's highest private award for human achievement, the Kyoto Prize is an international award honoring those who have contributed significantly to humankind's scientific, cultural, and spiritual development. The prize is presented annually in three categories: Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts and Philosophy. Consisting of academic honors, a commemorative gold medal and a cash gift of 50 million yen (approximately $450,000).

The Royal Medals

Given by The Royal Society (UK), three Royal Medals (also known as The Queen's Medals) are awarded annually by the Sovereign, two for the most important contributions to the advancement of Natural Knowledge (one to each of the two great divisions) and the other for distinguished contributions in the applied sciences. These awards are for contributions made within the British Commonwealth.

First awarded in 1826, the medals are silver gilt.

The Rumford Medal

Given by The Royal Society (UK), the Rumford Medal is awarded biennially (in even years) in recognition of an outstandingly important recent discovery in the field of thermal or optical properties of matter made by a scientist working in Europe, noting that Rumford was concerned to see recognised discoveries that tended to promote the good of mankind.

First awarded in 1800, the medal is of silver gilt and a gift of £1000 accompanies it.

Sylvester Medal

Given by The Royal Society (UK), this medal is named after James Joseph Sylvester (1814 - 1897) who was Savilian Professor of Geometry, Oxford, in the 1880s and is awarded triennially for the encouragement of mathematical research.

First awarded in 1901, this is a bronze medal and a gift of £1000 accompanies it.

Victor Moritz Goldschmidt Award

Given by the Geochemical Society for major achievements in geochemistry or cosmochemistry, consisting of either a single outstanding contribution, or a series of publications that have had great influence on the field.

Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

In 1996, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) was commissioned to create an award to recognize and honor outstanding scientists and engineers at the outset of their independent research careers. It is the highest honor bestowed on by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. The awards are conferred annually at the White House following recommendations from participating agencies. To be eligible for a PECASE Award, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident. Each PECASE Award will be of five years duration. Individuals can receive
only one PECASE award in their careers.

Other Science Prize and Awards 

W.M. Keck: Science and Engineering Program

The W.M. Keck Foundation established the Science and Engineering Program with the objective to support innovative undergraduate instruction in these fields as well as leading university research programs and interdisciplinary projects.

Grants go to organizations, not individuals.

Warren Alpert Foundation Prize

The Warren Alpert Foundation Prize Since 1986, scientists and researchers from around the world have earned the Warren Alpert Foundation Prize for their contributions to humanity and their breakthroughs in the understanding and curing of major diseases.

Winners of the Alpert Prize are presented with a $150,000 award at the Foundation's annual luncheon.

Industrially-Sponsored Awards given by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

2006 is the fourth year of the latest 10-year cycle of the RSC's industrially-sponsored awards. Through these (48) awards, the RSC bestows the highest accolade on members of the chemical science community.

Most awards are offered every three years, although some will be awarded biennially. Each award is made to those of British nationality, including Commonwealth citizens, or those normally domiciled in the British Isles, and is not limited to members of the RSC. Each award consists of a silver medallion and a prize of £500.

The Society for Endocrinology - Medals

This page lists all the medals that the British Society for Endocrinology gives out. (Not surprisingly, they are all for endocrinology.)
The Dale Medal is awarded, on an annual basis, to a member of the scientific community in recognition of outstanding studies which have changed our understanding of endocrinology in a fundamental way. The Dale Medal is the highest accolade bestowed by the Society.
The Society for Endocrinology Medal is awarded, on an annual basis, to a British endocrinologist in recognition of outstanding studies.
The European Medal is awarded, on an annual basis, to a European endocrinologist judged to have made significant contributions to the discipline. The award of this Medal was instituted to promote connections between endocrinology in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.
The Asia & Oceania Medal is awarded, on an annual basis, to an endocrinologist from a country of the Pacific Rim, Japan or Australasia judged to have made significant contributions to the discipline. The award was instituted to promote collaboration between endocrinologists in the UK and the Far East/Australasia.
The Transatlantic Medal is awarded, on an annual basis, to a North American endocrinologist judged to have made significant contributions to the discipline. The award of this Medal was instituted to promote connections between endocrinology in the United Kingdom and North America.

Awards from the American Society of Hematology

The American Society of Hematology gives out the William Dameshek Prize, the strong> (known as the Henry M. Stratton Lecture from 1970 to 1992), and the E. Donnall Thomas Lecture and Prize.

The American Society of Human Genetics

The American Society of Human Genetics gives out several awards, the oldest and most prestigious is the Allen Award, which is presented annually to recognize substantial and far-reaching scientific contributions to human genetics, carried out over a sustained period of scientific inquiry and productivity. It consists of a medal and $10,000 in cash presented at the annual meeting.

Fred Conrad Koch Award

This Award is the highest honor bestowed by The Endocrine Society in recognition of exceptional contributions to endocrinology. The recipient receives the Fred Conrad Koch Medal of The Endocrine Society and an honorarium of $25,000. The first award was given in 1959.

The Endocrine Society Laureate Awards

The Endocrine Society's Laureate Awards are presented in recognition of exceptional contributions and achievements in the field of endocrinology. The Endocrine Society began recognizing exceptional endocrinologists in 1944 with the Ernst Oppenheimer Award and this tradition continues today with 11 awards presented annually. The Laureate Awards recognize a broad spectrum of activities, including scientific accomplishments in many fields, leadership, teaching and service. They include:
-Clinical Investigator Award Lecture
-Distinguished Educator Award
-Distinguished Physician Award
-Edwin B. Astwood Award
-Ernt Oppenheimer Award
-Fred Conrad Koch Award (see more info in this module)
-Gerald D. Aurbach Award Lecture
-Richard E. Weitzman Memorial Award
-Robert H. Williams Distinguished Leadership Award
-Roy O. Greep Award Lecture
-Sidney H. Ingbar Distinguished Service Award

International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Awards

ISTH sponsors eight named awards, the highest of which is the Robert P. Grant Medal. Other awards include:
-Marion I Barnhart Memorial Lecture
-Pia Glas-Greenwalt Memorial Lecture
-Sol Sherry Memorial Lecture
-Shirley Johnson Memorial Lecture
-The Wright-Schulte Memorial Lecture
-Harold R. Roberts Award
They also present the ISTH Biennial Awards for Contributions to Hemostasis every two years. Five Society members whose accomplishments are internationally regarded as exemplary models of excellence in research and teaching receive the BACH Investigator Recognition Award and five whose career contributions have significantly advanced the scientific community's understanding of the diseases and disorders affecting hemostasis receive the BACH Distinguished Career Award.

Cotlove Award

Dr. Cotlove was a founding member of Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists. Following his untimely death in 1970, ACLPS established the Cotlove Lectureship. This award is presented to a scientist (member or non-member of the academy) for outstanding contributions to the science of laboratory medicine.

Briston-Myers Squibb Foundation's Award for Distinguished Achievement in Infectious Diseases Research

Initiated in 1991, the Infectious Diseases Research Grants Program has committed more than $17 million in unrestricted funding and awards to date: 34 grants have been given to 30 infectious diseases research centers in Australia, China, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.

Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Basic Medical Treatment

In 1971, the Lewis S. Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Basic Medical Resarch was established as an expression of the conviction that educational institutions have an important role to play in the encouragement and development of basic science as it applies to medicine.

Awards are given to scientists for recent discoveries of particular originality and importance to basic medical research. A $10,000 prize and a medallion accompanies each award.

Biomedical Research Prizes and Awards 

Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize, awarded by Columbia University

Each year, since its inception in 1967, the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize has been awarded by Columbia University for outstanding basic research in the fields of biology or biochemistry. The purpose of this award is to honor a scientific investigator, or group of investigators, whose contributions to knowledge in either of these fields are deemed worthy of special recognition.

The Prize consists of an honorarium and a citation which are awarded at a special presentation event. Unless otherwise recommended by the Prize Committee, the Prize is awarded annually.

Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize

I can't find a link to information about this Prize (or Preis, in the German), so I have just linked to the organization that gives it out.

Mathematics 

The Abel Prize

The Niels Henrik Abel Memorial Fund was established on 1 January 2002, to award the Abel Prize for outstanding scientific work in the field of mathematics. The prize amount is 6 million NOK (about 750,000 Euro) and was awarded for the first time on 3 June 2003.

André-Aisenstadt Mathematics Prize

The André-Aisenstadt Mathematics Prize, which is given for research achievement in pure and applied mathematics, consists of a $ 3 000 award and a medal. It is awarded to recognize talented young Canadian mathematicians.

Gauss Prize for Applications of Mathematics

Given by the Deutsche Mathematiker-Vereinigung nad the International Mathemtical Union (the same folks that give the Fields Medal), the Carl Friedrich Gauss Prize been created to recognize that mathematics is a driving force behind many modern technologies. It is given for outstanding mathematical contributions that have found significant practical applications outside of mathematics, or achievements that made the application of mathematical methods to areas outside of mathematics possible in an innovative way, e.g., via new modeling techniques or the design and implementation of algorithms.

National Academy of Sciences Award in Mathematics

Established by the American Mathematical Society in Commemoration of its Centennial

Awarded for excellence of research in the mathematical sciences published within the past ten years.

Environment 

Goldman Environmental Prize

The Goldman Environmental Prize is the world's largest prize honoring grassroots environmentalists.

Founded in 1990 by Richard and Rhoda Goldman, the Goldman Environmental Prize annually awards US$125,000 to environmental heroes from each of the world's six inhabited continental regions.

Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement is the premier award for environmental science, energy and medicine conferring great benefit upon mankind.

Through their work, Tyler Laureates have focused worldwide attention on environmental problems by their discoveries and the solutions that resulted.

Tyler Laureates receive a $200,000 annual prize and are presented a gold medallion at ceremonies in Los Angeles. The Tyler Prize, administered by the University of Southern California, was established by the late John and Alice Tyler in 1973.

Volvo Environment Prize

The Volvo Environment Prize was formally instituted in May 1988 by the Volvo Annual Shareholders Meeting,with the objective of promoting research and development across the environmental spectrum,by acknowledging people who have made an outstanding contribution to understanding or protecting the environment through scientific, socio-economic or technological innovation or discovery of global or regional importance.

The Volvo Environment Prize is awarded by an independent foundation, which was instituted in 1988. Laureates represent all fields of environmental and sustainability studies and initiatives.

Zayed International Prize for the Environment

The Zayed International Prize for the Environment was established in 1999 to recognize and encourage environmental achievements supporting and promoting the implementation of Agenda 21 in line with the vision and philosophy of His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The founder and Patron of the Zayed Prize, H. H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates - Ruler of Dubai, further envisioned the Prize to be supporting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation for Sustainable Development.

Young Scholars Programs 

W.M. Keck: Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research

The W.M. Keck Foundation established the Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research Program to give the nation's most promising young scientists the resources they need to pursue potentially breakthrough research projects in biomedicine. Since 1999, the program has awarded grants of up to $1 million to each of five junior faculty investigators at leading research universities and institutions annually. Originally conceived as a five-year project, the program has been extended through 2008. Nominations from institutions are accepted on an invitation-only basis.

Ernst Oppenheimer Award

The Ernst Oppenheimer Award is the premier award to a young investigator in recognition of meritorious accomplishment in the field of basic or clinical endocrinology. It was first given in 1944. The recipient must not have reached age 45 by July 1 of the year in which the award is presented. The award includes an honorarium of $3,000.

Morphology Prize from The Swiss Society for Anatomy, Histology and Embryology

The Morphology Prize is awarded every second year to a young scientist for his or her outstanding scientific performance in the field of morphology. The prize is 5,000 Swiss Francs. This prize is sponsored by LEICA Microsystems and Carl Zeiss AG Switzerland.

Robert Bing Prize

The Robert Bing Prize is given to younger scientists and physicians (up to 45 years of age) who have done outstanding work which has helped in the recognition, treatment, and cure of neurological diseases who will be encouraged by this prize to do further research.

This prize is awarded about every two years and preferentially given to a Swiss scientist.

A Couple of Other Science Prizes 

International Congress of Distinguished Awards (ICDA)

A consortium of organizations across the globe who present the world's most prestigious awards.

This is a great resource and where I got the names of over half of the prizes here. Had I gone to them first, I could have gotten almost all of them.

Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Award in various fields, including science and welfare. Five winners a year receive $100,000 and a solid gold Rolex chronometer (which I think is the same thing as a watch except for it's solid gold). Five associate winners get an unspecified sum and a silver and gold Rolex.

Award Organizations 

Just who is it who gives out these awards?

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien)

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences or Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien, founded in 1739 by King Frederick I, is one of the Royal Academies in Sweden. The Academy is an independent organization, which acts to promote sciences, especially natural sciences and mathematics. Committees of the Academy also acts as selection boards for the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry and the The Bank of Sweden Prize.

The Royal Society (UK)

The Royal Society is the world's oldest scientific academy in continuous existence, and has been at the forefront of enquiry and discovery since its foundation in 1660.

The backbone of the Society is its Fellowship of the most eminent scientists of the day, elected by peer review for life and entitled to use FRS after their name.

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

AACR was founded in 1907 by a group of eleven physicians and scientists interested in research, "to further the investigation and spread the knowledge of cancer." Today, AACR accelerates progress toward the prevention and cure of cancer by promoting research, education, communication, and advocacy.

AACR is the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focused on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research. Its reputation for scientific breadth and excellence attract the premier researchers in the field. The programs and services of AACR foster the exchange of knowledge and new ideas among scientists dedicated to cancer research, provide training opportunities for the next generation of cancer researchers, and increase public understanding of cancer.

Geochemical Society

The Geochemical Society is a private nonprofit international scientific society founded to encourage the application of chemistry to the solution of geological and cosmological problems. Membership is international and diverse in background, encompassing such fields as organic geochemistry, high- and low-temperature geochemistry, petrology, meteoritics, fluid-rock interaction, and isotope geochemistry.

Inamori Foundation

The activities of the Inamori Foundation reflect the lifelong beliefs of its founder that people have no higher calling than to strive for the greater good of humankind and society and that the future of humanity can be assured only when there is a balance between scientific development and the enrichment of the human spirit. The Foundation seeks to actively promote peace and prosperity among all people on earth through the promotion of mutual understanding. It does this through programs of public recognition and the support of creative activities to foster science, culture, and the enrichment of the human spirit, as well as through social contributions.

International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) - Home

The mission of IUPAP is to assist in the worldwide development of physics, to foster international cooperation in physics, and to help in the application of physics toward solving problems of concern to humanity.

International Commission on Physics Education (Commission of IUPAP)

The International Commission on Physics Education promotes the exchange of information and views among the members of the international scientific community in Physics Education including:
1 The collection, evaluation, coordination and distribution of information concerning education in the physical sciences at all levels,
2 Information relating to the assessment of standards of physics teaching and learning
3 Suggestions of ways in which the facilities for the study of physics at all levels might be improved, stimulating experiments at all levels, and giving help to physics teachers in all countries in incorporating current knowledge of physics, physics pedagogy, and the results of research in physics education into their courses and curricula.

Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Zurich

Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI)

Home to Germany's most prestigious prize in biomedical science, I have not been able to find a link for information to the actual prize. This is because I can't speak German. Although most of this site is in German, I did find this starting page in English.

International Union of Pure and Applied Physics

They give out the Boltzmann Medal.

Physics 

George E. Valley, Jr. Prize

Given by the American Physical Society biennially, this prize recognizes one individual in the early stages of his or her career for an outstanding scientific contribution to physics that is deemed to have significant potential for a dramatic impact on the field. The prize consists of $20,000 and a certificate citing the contribution made by the recipient. It shall be awarded to one individual who has received his/her PhD no earlier than 5 years before April 1 of the year of the nomination deadline.

Lars Onsager Prize

Given by the American Physical Society, this prize recognizes outstanding research in theoretical statistical physics including the quantum fluids. The prize consists of $15,000 as well as a certificate citing the contribution made by the recipient. It was presented annually beginning in 1997.

Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize

First endowed in 1952 by AT&T Bell Laboratories and now given by the American Physical Society, its purpose is to recognize and encourage outstanding theoretical or experimental contributions to condensed matter physics.

The prize consists of $10,000 and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient or recipients. It [is] awarded annually, ordinarily to one person but may be shared when all the recipients have contributed to the same accomplishment(s).

The Wolf Foundation Prize in Physics

One of the aims of The Wolf Foundation is to award prizes to outstanding scientists and artists - irrespective of nationality, race, color, religion, sex or political views - for achievements in the interest of mankind and friendly relations among peoples.