Overview
Established in 2021 through a generous endowment gift from the Philomathia Foundation, the Philomathia Prize is intended to recognize exceptional early career faculty members at the University of California, Berkeley from any discipline who demonstrate great distinction and promise in their academic field. The Prize consists of an award of $200,000 to be used at the discretion of the Prize recipient.
In creating this award, the Philomathia Foundation seeks to inspire faculty in the early stages of their careers, and enable them to pursue the kind of highly original inquiry that has the potential to yield the most important advances. An award of this magnitude will recognize the promise, creativity and future potential of faculty at a critical time in their careers.
The Prize will be awarded annually and will alternate between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and non-STEM disciplines each year. This year, non-STEM disciplines are eligible. Prize recipients are allotted three years to expend their funding. Information about our previous Prize winners can be found below.
2025 - Jonathan Weigel
2024 - Kwabena Bediako
2023 - Jennifer Redfearn
2022 - Markita del Carpio Landry
Candidates may propose new/extended research projects or seek support for research in which they are already engaged. The principal criteria for selection are the candidate’s research record and strength of their proposal, but service to campus and teaching will also be considered by the committee.
The Philomathia Foundation has been one of Berkeley’s most generous partners for nearly two decades and is dedicated to improving the human condition through the support of innovative, forward-thinking individuals and ideas. Please see Philomathia Center at Berkeley and The Philomathia Foundation for more information on the foundation's programs.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to non-tenured, tenure-track Assistant Professors as well as Associate Professors that have received tenure within the last four years. Associate Professors that are undergoing review to become a full Professor, or whose cases will be submitted for review in FY25, are not eligible. Applicants are allowed to choose whether to apply during the STEM or non-STEM year but may not apply to both.
Application Process
Candidates should submit their complete applications, including application form, CV, tentative budget, and up to 2-page (single-spaced) project proposal. Applications will be collected via Google Form, and are due by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Submissions will be routed to your Department Chair or Professional School Dean by Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Department Chair endorsements will be routed to College Deans on Monday, November 18, 2024.
December 15, 2024 is the deadline for Deans to submit their endorsements and rankings of the applications, up to the maximum allotment per Dean, to the Office of the Vice Provost for the Faculty. The Prize winner will be announced in March 2025, and funds will be transferred later that August.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS, October 1, 2024
FAQs
For additional information about the application requirements, deadlines, and other details, please refer to the FAQs section at the bottom of this page.
Questions may be sent to PhilomathiaPrize@berkeley.edu