The Philomathia Prize

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, STEM disciplines are eligible. Prize recipients are allotted three years to expend their funding. Information about our previous Prize winners can be found below. 

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 FY24, are not eligible.

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 Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

Submissions will be routed to your Department Chair or Professional School Dean by Monday, October 30, 2023. Department Chair endorsements will be routed to College Deans on Friday, November 17, 2023.

December 15, 2023 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 2024, and funds will be transferred later that August.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS, October 2, 2023.

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

Frequently Asked Questions — Philomathia Prize Fund

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How many nominations can each Department Chair submit for decanal review?

The maximum number of nominations a Department Chair may submit for decanal review is based on the size of the eligible population in each department.

How many Prizes are awarded each year?

There will be only one Prize winner each year. The Prize will be awarded annually and will alternate between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and non-STEM disciplines each year. Only STEM disciplines are eligible this cycle (2023-24).

What if I am eligible to apply, but am currently serving as Department Chair?

If a Department Chair is eligible, the Dean of that Department will appoint an in-lieu Chair, preferably from that Department, who is not eligible, to review applications from that Department.

How should the award funds be used?

The Prize amount is to be used at the sole discretion of the awardee, pursuant to campus policy. Suggested usage may include summer salary, dependent care, or the hiring of a post-doc fellow to assist the awardee in the research program.

What is the duration of the award?

Recipients are expected to use the funds within 3 years, after which any unused amount of the prize funds will be reverted back to the endowment.

What is the timeline for applications for Colleges?

L&S Biological Sciences, L&S Math & Physical Sciences, College of Chemistry, College of Engineering, College of Computing, Data Science, and Society, Rausser College of Natural Resources, and College of Environmental Design

October 2, 2023: Call for applications announcement will be emailed to eligible faculty.

October 17, 2023: Deadline for eligible faculty to submit their application.

October 23, 2023: Applications will be batched and distributed by the Office of the Vice...

What is the timeline for applications for Professional Schools?

School of Optometry, School of Information, and School of Public Health

October 2, 2023: Call for applications announcement will be emailed to eligible faculty.

October 17, 2023: Deadline for eligible faculty to submit their application.

October 30, 2023: Applications will be batched and distributed by the Office of the Vice Provost for the Faculty to Professional School Deans.

December 15, 2023: Deadline for Deans to forward their review and ranking of...

Is there overhead charged to this award?

No.

What are the responsibilities of the Prize winner?

The Prize winner will deliver the keynote lecture at the Philomathia Day Forum, an event which will highlight the winner's field of study to be held in late 2024, and will assist with the planning of the event, including identifying topics and speakers. A reception will be held to honor the Prize winner, and invitees will include Philomathia Foundation Board members and awardee’s faculty colleagues, students, and family.

Can the award include salary for a post-doc?

The award may be used to hire a post-doc fellow to assist the awardee in the research program. The post doc fellow is chosen by the awardee and shall be known as a Philomathia Fellow.

How many nominations can each dean submit for committee review?

The maximum number of nominations a dean may submit for committee review is based on the size of the eligible population in each decanal unit.

Who is eligible to apply?

Non-tenured, tenure-track Assistant Professors are eligible. Associate Professors that have received tenure within the last four years are eligible. Associate Professors that are undergoing review in FY23 to become a Full Professor are not eligible. Adjunct faculty are not eligible.