National & International Awards for Science and Technology

International Awards for Science & Technology

Vin Future Prize:

The International Vinfuture Prize is an annual award constituting a Grand Prize is valued at $3 million. It also includes three special prizes, each valued at $500,000 presented to an individual for groundbreaking scientific discoveries and technological innovations that have the potential to make a significant difference on a large scale. Established in 2000, it is conferred by the Vinfuture Scientific Commission based in France recognizing pathbreaking scientific work globally benefiting advancement of the global wine industry.

Vin Future Prize Winners 2022

The VinFuture Grand Prize: Tim Berners-Lee, Vint Cerf, Emmanuel Desurvire, Bob Kahn, David N, Payne for ground-breaking research on global network technology, allowing all forms of information to be reliably communicated, transferred, and shared at the speed of light;  

Female Innovator: Pamela Ronald for breakthroughs in isolating the Sub1A gene which facilitated the development of submergence tolerant rice varieties, helping feed millions of people in South and Southeast Asia;

Developing Country Innovator: Thalappil Pradeep for development of a low-cost filtration system to remove arsenic and other heavy metals from groundwater, helping hundreds of millions of people around the world living with contaminated water get access to clean water;

Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields: Demis Hassabis for pioneering work on AlphaFold 2, an artificial intelligence program that has revolutionized the modelling of protein structures, accelerating advances in biomedicine, health, and agriculture.

2023 Spinoza Prize:

Joyeeta Gupta and Toby Kiers. The Spinoza Prize, the highest distinction in Dutch science, is also sometimes referred to as the 'Dutch Nobel Prize.' (Joyeeta Gupta will receive 1.5 million euros to spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilisation.)

2023 International Prize in Statistics:

Calmpudi Radhakrishnaya Rao for major achievements using statistics to advance science, technology and human welfare.

Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application:

Dr Swati Nayak, or the Seed Lady (Bihana Didi), an Indian scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Harvard University's George Ledlie Prize:

Michael Springer (for developing a more streamlined coronavirus testing system used by Harvard and MIT)

Raj Chetty (for wielding big data to break myths about who achieves the American Dream and the obstacles faced by others).

National Awards for Science & Technology

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (55 B) Award

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology is an annual science award in India conferred to outstanding researchers under 45 years across diverse science disciplines. Funded by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, it was instituted in 1958 commemorating the legacy of renowned scientist Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar. Considered the highest recognition for young scientists in India, the multi-disciplinary award consists of a citation, Rs 5 lakh prize money and a plaque.

History & Background

The award was created in memory of the visionary scientist Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar who pioneered scientific R&D institutions in independent India. He established the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), serving as its first Director-General. As a chemist himself, he significantly shaped post-independence science progress with his leadership, institution building and policy influence. After his premature demise in 1955, CSIR trustees instituted this award in his honor from OY 1958 to encourage brilliant young researchers following his footsteps across varied disciplines - Biological, Chemical, Earth-Atmosphere-Ocean-Planetary, Engineering, Mathematical and Medical Sciences. The first recipients in 1959 included Dr G.N. Ramachandran for contributions across polymer chemistry and crystal physics.

Selection Process

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize invites annual nominations from India-based institutes and universities. These nominations undergo rigorous evaluation by specialized expert committees comprising past award recipients evaluating each discipline. After shortlisting, final selections happen through an advisory committee and approval by the Governing Body of CSIR. The criteria involves assessing research work for high impact and recognition, innovative quality and applicability for industrial or social purposes in India. Special consideration is given for inter-disciplinary research solving important national problems. Emphasis is placed on outstanding contributions made primarly in India during the last 5 years by researchers under 45 years demonstrating continued world-class caliber with promise to achieve excellence going ahead.

Notable Recipients

Many eminent scientists have been conferred this high honor over 60 years for pioneering discoveries and ongoing seminal work across disciplines - Dr. CNR Rao furthered solid state and materials chemistry, Dr. K Kasturirangan made renowned contributions in space science and ISRO systems, Dr. VijayRaghavan advanced developmental biology and biotech applications, Dr. Manjul Bhargava created new mathematics composition techniques, Dr. Ajay Sood unraveled polymer and nanotube mysteries through physics and Dr. Shubha Tole illuminated brain disorders via genetics. 2021 inductees were Dr. Rajat Moona for technical advances revolutionizing governance technology adoption and Dr. Nithyanand Rao inventing solutions balancing ecology and development priorities. Other recipients include globally respected names across biotech, computing, seismology, microscopy designing problem-solving innovations benefitting India.

In its 65th year, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award continues its goal of accelerating science-led progress envisioned by its techno-innovator namesake. Administered transparently by CSIR annually, its multidisciplinary recognition identifies deserving young talent making outstanding research contributions holding high promise. Positioned as India's highest award for scientists under 45, its recipients stand out joining an elite alumni fraternity for pathbreaking discoveries benefiting India and the world.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Winners 2023

Infosys Prize

The Infosys Prize is an annual award honoring outstanding achievements and contributions across six categories by eminent scientists and scholars connected to India. Established in 2008, it comprises a gold medal, citation and prize purses worth $100,000 tax free in respective domains - Engineering & Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. Conferred by the Infosys Science Foundation, it is regarded as India’s highest monetary award recognizing excellence and research that benefits society.

History & Background

The Infosys Science Foundation instituted this award in 2008 inspired by the Nobel Prize. The prize was created by business leader N R Narayana Murthy from a personal endowment keeping public benefit as the primary objective. The annual sciences and humanities awards aimed to signal importance of research encouraging young Indians to pursue such careers over usual engineering, medicine and administrative jobs alone. Winners would get global prestige for breakthrough discoveries across fields that solve national, regional issues improving people's lives. Over time, the Infosys Prize has emerged as the most generous Indian award for scientists and academics.

Selection Process

Nominations for Infosys Prize close mid-April every year, sent in by invitation only to nominators - academic institutes heads and past winners. An advisory panel comprising eminent jurors across six fields evaluates nominations on research impact, utility and future potential, shortlisting 15 to 20 nominations. Field-specific juries having renowned international scientists from Ivy league universities then assess nominations picking winners by consensus ensuring inter-disciplinary strengths are duly recognized. Criteria involves breakthrough capability, profoundness of contribution and broad applicability helping science progress and social good through expanding knowledge boundaries across natural, mathematical and social sciences alongside humanities. Winners get a 22-karat gold medal, citation and prize money totaling $100,000.

Significance

Within just 15 years, the Infosys Prize today is regarded as India’s foremost accolade across arts, humanities and sciences. Conferred by a leading global software firm valuing education, knowledge creation and research excellence, its winners represent the country’s premier thinkers advancing a culture of original discovery solving contemporary real-world socio-economic challenges. The award brings laureates national distinction and global visibility attracting youth to academic-research careers over mainstream vocations.

Infosys Prize has acquired a stellar reputation as India’s foremost honor recognizing cross-disciplinary research for its world-class quality and real societal change applications it enables. Administered by the Infosys Foundation as a labor of excellence advocacy love envisioned by iconic founder Mr. Murthy, it places spotlight on leading discoverers solving complex problems from disease to disparity for national and universal benefit - reflecting India's soft power wisdom, scientific temper and compassion.

Infosys Prize 2022 Winners