Prizes and Awards

Award Categories

• Science Nominees: Nominees for the Albert Einstein World Award of Science should be eminent scientists whose achievements can serve as an inspiration for future generations. Considerations will be given to individuals or institutions in one of the Life Sciences, such as Neuroscience, Earth Science, Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine or Chemistry; or in one of the Natural Sciences such as Physics, Mathematics or Astronomy. In addition to considering the candidate’s breakthrough achievements, the jury will also take into account the service which each has made to humankind and his/her qualities as a role model who inspires future generations to contribute to a better world.

Nominations materials:

• Nomination Letter: Official institution letterhead with stamp and signature.
• Reference Letters: Two reference letters supporting the candidate’s nomination. Letterhead of official institution stamp and personal signature.
• Resume: A one or two page resume with the grounds for nominating the candidate and a list of the important achievements for the benefit of mankind, in a clear statement.
• Candidate’s curriculum vitae (three pages maximum).
• Papers: A list of the candidate’s 10 most important papers.
•  List of Publications: A list of all their publications (articles, books) with titles translated into English.
• Photograph: Candidate’s recent photograph in color (mandatory to be included in high resolution 300 dpi or more).
• Completed nomination form

Further information can be found on the official World Cultural Council webpages.
VPRE Office Deadline: Wednesday 17th December 2025

Prize information:

• The Wolf Prizes in the sciences and the arts have been awarded annually since 1978 to outstanding scientists and artists for their contributions to humanity and the promotion of brotherly relations, regardless of nationality, race, color, religion, gender, or political views.
• To date, 391 scientists and artists from around the world have received the prestigious Wolf Prize.
• The Prize fields in the sciences include Agriculture, Chemistry, Mathematics, Medicine, and Physics. Prize fields in the Arts include Architecture, Music, Painting, and Sculpture. Every year, the Wolf Foundation awards four prizes in the Sciences and one prize in the Arts. Each prize consists of a diploma, a Medal of Honor, and 100,000$ honorarium. The laureates are selected by an international jury in each field (e.g., Chemistry, Medicine, Physics, Mathematics, Agriculture), comprising distinguished experts from different countries who represent various subfields and who are appointed annually.

Nomination process:

• In accordance with the Wolf Prize principle of rotation, candidate(s) for the 2026 prize can be nominated only in one of the following five fields: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Mathematics, and Arts. The information below is intended for submission in the scientific fields.
• An international Prize Committee selects the Wolf Prize Laureate(s) in each field. The committee’s decisions are final and irrevocable.
• Two or three candidates may be nominated jointly to share the prize.
• Joint nominations are only accepted for collaborative work or contributions directly related to the same specific achievement. Each candidate must be nominated using a separate form, with the joint nomination clearly indicated where appropriate.
  • If the nomination is for collaborative work, please specify this at the start of the "Brief Description" section and detail each candidate's individual contributions to the joint achievement.
  • Letters of support can refer to all candidates collectively or each candidate individually. Ensure that each candidate is supported by three letters of support. 
  • A joint nomination is a recommendation to the committee, which will evaluate each candidate individually.

The submission package should include: 

• A duly completed Nomination Form*. Please fill out all fields according to the instructions without exceeding the allotted space.
• Three letters of support are required, with an optional fourth letter permitted; three letters of support from experts who are not affiliated with the candidate's institution; and an additional fourth letter from the candidate's institution may be added.
  • The signed letters must be written on formal letterhead.
  • A letter of support can be written as a collaborative letter of recommendation (one letter signed by multiple supporters). In this case, the letterhead should represent the institution of the leading supporter.
• A recent candidate's photograph at a high resolution of at least 300 dpi.
• A short biography, up to one page. Aiming to provide additional information not included in the nomination form, a brief overview of the candidate's background, experience, and accomplishments.

*Nomination form:

1. Field (Please choose one): a) Mathematics, b) Medicine, c) Physics, d) Chemistry. Does your research have an interdisciplinary nature, and in your opinion, could it also be appropriately considered under an additional award category? If yes, please specify the relevant category. Note: The Foundation reserves the right to reassign the application to a different award category if deemed appropriate.
2. Candidate Personal Data: First name, Surname, Affiliation, E-mail, Mobile number, Telephone number, Date of birth, Place of birth, Office address. Please specify full names of joint candidates in case of a joint nomination.
3. Proposed Prize Citation (for diploma) (max 30 words)
4. Brief Description of Scientific Achievements (Clearly and concisely describe only achievements that merit the prize): Please keep the form concise (max 1000 words) and within the specified limits. Any additional elaboration may be included in the letters of recommendation.
5. Education and main positions held (max 500 words)
6. Major Honors and Awards (max 500 words)
7. List of Most Significant Publications (refereed publications only) (max 500 words)
8. List of supporters (full name, affiliation, e-mail)

Further guidance:

• The Form must be completed in full and typewritten in English.
• We appreciate your commitment to presenting a comprehensive and well-founded case for each nominee. However, given the significant volume of materials reviewed by our Committees, it is essential to adhere to the specified limit.
• Additional elaboration or context may be provided in the letters of recommendation, while the nomination form itself should remain concise.
• Please note that the nomination package will only be considered complete once all materials, including support letters, are approved to be received.
• Ensure all files are named clearly based on their contents and the candidate's name, e.g., 'Gross_Photo', 'Gross_ Form'.
• Each nomination is automatically valid for three cycles. The nominator can update the nomination at any time during this period. After three cycles a new nomination package is required.
• Further information can be found on the Official Wolf Prize webpages

Limitations:

• The Prize is awarded to individuals, not to institutions.
• A person cannot nominate himself/herself.
• Nobel Prize Laureates will not be considered, unless their nomination is proposed for an achievement entirely different from the one recognized by the Nobel Prize.
• Please note that the Wolf Prize is awarded for significant breakthroughs and not for an exemplary career or leadership in a particular field.

VPRE Office Deadline: COB Monday 2nd February 2026

Overview:

• The Chair of the General Prize Committee of the International Balzan Foundation “Prize” has invited Imperial to submit nominations for the 2026 Balzan Prizes for candidates in the physical, mathematical, natural sciences and medicine.
• Each of the 2026 Balzan Prizes is 750,000 Swiss francs.
• Half the Prize money will be awarded to the Prizewinner in recognition of her/his work. The other half will be destined by the Prizewinner to a research project involving young researchers or research groups. The research proposal will be subject to the approval of the General Prize Committee.

Award Categories:

• Imperial is invited to submit for the following 2026 Balzan Prizes topics: ‘Biodegradable Polymers from Renewable Sources’ and ‘Molecular Evolution: Decoding Patterns of Genomic Change.’
  • Biodegradable Polymers from Renewable Sources: The Balzan Prize in Biodegradable Polymers from Renewable Sources is intended to honor pioneering research that creates sustainable, high-performance materials from renewable resources. The Prize especially recognizes advances that enable scalable and cost-effective development of biodegradable polymers. By addressing global challenges such as plastic pollution, microplastic contamination, and fossil fuel dependence, the Prize will highlight innovations with potential for transformative impacts across industrial applications in - for instance - packaging, textile or biomedical technologies.
  • Molecular evolution: Decoding patterns of genomic change: Evolution leaves genetic fingerprints in the genomes of biological populations by changing heritable traits over successive generations. Research in molecular evolution leverages these fingerprints to describe and explain how natural selection and genetic drift shapes genomes over evolutionary history. This prize will recognize groundbreaking research in the field of molecular evolution ranging from the development of computational, statistical and mathematical methods to empirical approaches such as experimental evolution or field studies.

Nomination materials:

• a report (1-2 pages) on the reasons for applying (in Italian, French, English or German);
• a brief description (one paragraph, in non-specialist language/terms) of the most significant results obtained by the candidate with reference to the subject area of the award;
• a list of the ten most important publications (complete with bibliographical citations): one or two should be highlighted as recommended reading for non-specialists;
• a curriculum vitae specifying, among other things, the position currently held, the main academic activities carried out, place and date of birth, nationality, residence and address;
• a recent photograph (in high resolution, jpg), complete with copyright where applicable.

Further details:

• Nominations must be signed by the nominator
• Prizes may be awarded to individuals or to small working teams who have produced results jointly. It is to be noted that more than one candidate may be nominated for each prize subject. Furthermore, they do not necessarily have to be part of the institution of the individual making the nomination, nor of the same nationality.
• Further information can be found on the official International Balzan Prize Foundation webpage.

VPRE Office Deadline: Friday 27th February 2026

Prize Categories: 

• Medicine on the topic of ‘Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Medicine’
• Science on the topic of ‘Chemistry’

Nomination Statutes:

• Nominations are accepted from universities, scientific institutions and research centers.
• Nominations are not accepted from individuals or political parties.
• Nominated works must be published, likely to benefit mankind and enrich human knowledge.
• Nominations are not accepted posthumously.
• Dissertations are not accepted.
• Research works for which potential laureates are nominated must be already published, of benefit to mankind, and of recognized enrichment to human knowledge.
• Posthumous nominations are not permitted.
• Laureates of King Faisal Prize shall not be awarded the Prize again.
• More than one candidate may be nominated, irrespective of their affiliation with the nominating institution.

Nomination requirements:

• An official letter of nomination, adequately justifying the nomination and outlining the nominee’s achievements in the field of the Prize.
• A list of nominated works; not exceeding ten works.
• Nominee’s contact information.
•  A detailed CV with a list of the nominee’s publications.
• A recent color-photo of the nominee with high resolution.
• A letter of commitment to present two lectures in his/her field of specialization, at academic institutions in the event s/he is awarded the Prize.
• A copy of each one of the nominated work.
• Nominee’s general information form:
  • Nominee’s Full Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Place of Birth
  • Nationality
  • Current Position
  • Qualification 
  • Field of Specialisation 
  • Summary of Major Achievements
  • Postal Mailing Address
  • Contact Details (city code, mobile, country code, email, office phone, home phone)

Prize components:

• A certificate written in Arabic calligraphy featuring the laureate’s name with a brief description of the work for which s/he is awarded the Prize.
• A commemorative 24-carat, 200-gram gold medallion.
• A sum of SR 750,000 (US$ 200,000).

For more information, please visit the King Faisal Prize official website.

VPRE Office Deadline: Tuesday 17th March 2026