Rules

Principle:

  • The Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics is given annually for accomplishments in fundamental physics broadly defined, including advances in closely related fields with deep connections to physics. The New Horizons Prize is designated for early-career researchers.

Prizes:

  • The Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics – $3 million.
  • New Horizons in Physics Prize – $100,000.
  • Vera Rubin New Frontiers Prize – $50,000.

Breakthrough Prize Guidelines:

  • The Breakthrough Prize recognizes major achievements, with special attention to recent developments.
  • Candidate citations (up to 10) from a specified academic publishing database are required.
  • The prize can be shared by any number of people.
  • There are no age restrictions.
  • A person can receive a prize more than once.

New Horizons Prize Guidelines:

  • The New Horizons in Physics Prize is targeted toward early-career researchers.
  • Candidates of the New Horizons in Physics Prize will generally be no more than 12 years past their PhD. Exceptions will sometimes be made, especially in cases of experimental projects with long lead times.
  • Candidate citations (up to 10) from a specified academic publishing database are required.
  • Up to three prizes per year will be awarded.
  • Each prize can be split among two or more winners.
  • There are no age restrictions.

Vera Rubin New Frontiers Prize Guidelines:

  • The Vera Rubin New Frontiers Prize is designated for women physicists and astrophysicists (broadly defined) who have completed their PhDs within the previous two years.
  • The candidate’s PhD thesis must be submitted as a part of the nomination.
  • Up to three prizes per year will be awarded.
  • Each prize can be split among two or more winners.
  • There are no age restrictions.

Nominations:

  • Anyone can nominate a candidate at the online nominations page during the open nominations period.
  • Self-nominations are not allowed.
  • A valid nomination will have basic biographical information on the nominee and nominator and at least one third-party letter of recommendation.
  • Candidate citations (up to 10) from a specified academic publishing database are required.
  • During the nominations period please see the nominations form at breakthroughprize.org/Nominations.

Selection Committee:

  • Past recipients of the prizes are invited to serve on the Selection Committee to select recipients of future prizes.

Special Prize:

  • In exceptional cases a special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics can be awarded at any time, forgoing the nomination process.