Rules

Principle:

  • The Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics is given annually to an individual making significant accomplishments in mathematics. The New Horizons in Mathematics Prize is designated for early-career researchers. The Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize will be presented to women mathematicians who have completed their PhDs within the past two years.

Prizes:

  • Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics – $3 million.
  • New Horizons in Mathematics Prize – $100,000.
  • Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize – $50,000.

Breakthrough Prize Guidelines:

  • The Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics recognizes a single person’s contribution to the field of mathematics, with special attention to recent developments (in the last 10 years, although earlier contributions may also be considered).
  • In exceptional circumstances, when a prize is awarded for joint work, the committee may split the prize.
  • Candidate citations (up to 10) from a specified academic publishing database are required.
  • There are no age restrictions.
  • A person can receive a prize more than once.
  • One prize per year will be awarded.

New Horizons Prize Guidelines:

  • The New Horizons in Mathematics Prize is awarded to early-career researchers who have already produced important work.
  • Candidates for the New Horizons Prize should have not held a PhD for more than 10 years at the start of the calendar year in which nominations close. This requirement may be relaxed in exceptional circumstances.
  • Candidate citations (up to 10) from a specified academic publishing database are required.
  • The prize can be split among two or more winners.
  • There are no age restrictions.
  • Up to three prizes per year will be awarded.

Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize Guidelines:

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

Nominations:

  • Anyone can nominate a candidate online 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.
  • During the nominations period the nomination form is available at breakthroughprize.org/Nominations.

Selection Committee:

  • Past recipients of the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics are invited to serve on the Selection Committee to select recipients of the prizes.