2024 Breakthrough Prizes Open for Nomination

Nominations are invited for the 2024 Breakthrough Prizes, which include awards of up to US$3 million to recognise outstanding achievements in fundamental physics, life sciences and mathematics.

The Breakthrough Prize initiative was established in 2012 to recognise outstanding contributions to science. The prizes are a group of awards that honour outstanding achievements in fundamental physics, life sciences and mathematics. In addition to five main Breakthrough Prizes of US$3 million each, there are also up to six New Horizons Prizes of US$100,000 for promising early career researchers in the fields of physics and mathematics, and three Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prizes of US$50,000 for outstanding early career female mathematicians.

The details of the prizes are as follows:

  • Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (x1) recognises an individual who has made profound contributions to fundamental physics broadly defined, including advances in closely related fields with deep connections to physics. It is open to all physicists, theoretical, mathematical and experimental, working on the deepest mysteries of the universe.
  • New Horizons in Physics Prizes (x3) for promising junior researchers who have already produced important work in their fields.
  • Breakthrough Prizes in Life Sciences (x3) are awarded to individuals who have made transformative advances in understanding living systems and extending human life. One prize is reserved for work contributing to understanding of Parkinson’s disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics (x1) is awarded to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of mathematics, with special consideration given to developments in the past ten years.
  • New Horizons in Mathematics Prizes (x3) are presented to early-career mathematicians who have already produced important work in their fields.
  • Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prizes (x3) are presented to outstanding early-career female mathematicians who completed their PhD within the past two years.

In addition to the Breakthrough Prizes and New Horizons Prizes, a Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics of US$3 million may also be awarded at any time, forgoing the usual nomination process.

Any person, from any location worldwide can nominate a candidate during the nominations period. There are no age restrictions for candidates. Winners are invited to attend a televised award ceremony to celebrate their achievements and inspire the next generation of scientists. As part of the ceremony schedule, they also engage in a programme of lectures and discussions.

Nominations for the 2024 awards should be submitted via the Breakthrough Prize website by the deadline of 1 April 2023 (midnight PDT).

(This report was the subject of a RESEARCHconnect Newsflash.)