List of prizes known as the Nobel or the highest honors of a field


List of prizes known as the Nobel or the highest honors of a field


Several fields of human cultural and scientific development are not included in the list of Nobel Prizes, because they are neither among the prizes established as part of Alfred Nobel's will nor, in the case of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, sponsored afterwards by the Nobel Foundation. While the foundation has discouraged (and occasionally taken legal action against) individuals and organizations that have used the Nobel name to refer to prizes not meeting the aforementioned criteria, several prominent individuals and organizations have nonetheless used the label "Nobel Prize of X" to refer to highly prestigious awards in fields of activity not covered by the official Nobel Prizes. These awards are listed below.

Prizes sponsored by the Nobel Foundation

Alfred Nobel's last will of 1895 only included five prizes, covering outstanding achievements who confer the "greatest benefit on mankind" in the fields of chemistry, physics, literature, peace, and physiology or medicine. The original Nobel prizes thus includes:

  • Nobel Prize in Chemistry
  • Nobel Prize in Physics
  • Nobel Prize in Literature
  • Nobel Peace Prize
  • Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

In addition to the prizes listed above, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences is sponsored by the Nobel Foundation. The foundation has trademarked the term "Nobel Prize" and this designation cannot be legally used to refer to any prizes other than the five original Nobels.

Prizes not sponsored by the Nobel Foundation

Several prizes in fields of study and achievement not covered by the original Nobel Prizes have been established by various entities. Some have been referred to as the "Nobel Prize of" that particular field, in the vast majority of cases without the approval of the Nobel Foundation. These prizes are generally the highest awards in their fields. For some fields, more than one prestigious prizes are listed below. Some most important prizes in the world are presented in bold. The distinguished prizes not conferred by the Nobel Foundation include (with the year when a prize was first awarded in brackets):

Mathematical sciences, physical sciences and applied sciences

Applied mathematics

  • John von Neumann Lecture Prize (1960)
  • Carl Friedrich Gauss Prize (2006)1
  • George David Birkhoff Prize (1968)2
  • Norbert Wiener Prize (1970)2

See also 'Mathematics' and 'Operations research' below.

Astronomy

  • Kavli Prize in Astrophysics (2008)
  • Carl Sagan Medal
  • Valz Prize
  • Gruber Prize in Cosmology (2000)
  • Crafoord Prize in Astronomy (1985)
  • Shaw Prize in Astronomy (2004)

Automation/control/cybernetics

  • IEEE Control Systems Award (1982)
  • Giorgio Quazza Medal (1981)
  • Hendrik W. Bode Lecture Prize (1989)
  • Richard E. Bellman Control Heritage Award (1979)

Communications

  • Marconi Prize (1975)
  • IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal (1976)

Computer science

  • Turing Award (1966)
  • IEEE John von Neumann Medal (1992)
  • Computer Pioneer Award (1981)1
  • IMU Abacus Medal (1982)2

Electrical engineering

  • IEEE Medal of Honor (1917)
  • Faraday Medal (1922)
  • Edison Medal (1909)

Energy research

  • ENI Award (2008)
  • Fermi Award (1956)
  • Global Energy Prize (2003)

Engineering

  • Charles Stark Draper Prize (1989)
  • John Fritz Medal (1902)
  • Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (2013)

Information technology

  • W. Wallace McDowell Award (1966)
  • C&C Prize (1985)
  • Mountbatten Medal (1992)

Information theory

  • Claude E. Shannon Award (1972)
  • IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal (1988)

Materials research

  • Von Hippel Award (1976)
  • MRS Medal (1990)

Mathematics

  • Abel Prize (2003)
  • Fields Medal (1936)1
  • Chern Medal (2010)2
  • Salem Prize
  • Wolf Prize in Mathematics (1978)3

See also 'Applied mathematics' above and 'Operations research' and 'Statistics' below.

Mechanical engineering

  • ASME Medal (1921)
  • Timoshenko Medal (1957)
  • James Watt International Gold Medal (1937)

Nanoscience

  • Kavli Prize in Nanoscience (2008)
  • Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology (1993)

Operations research

  • John von Neumann Theory Prize (1975)

Optics/photonics

  • Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize (1929)
  • IEEE Photonics Award (2004)
  • SPIE Gold Medal (1977)

Quantum information science

  • International Quantum Communication Award (1996)
  • Micius Quantum Prize (2018)
  • Rolf Landauer and Charles H. Bennett Award in Quantum Computing (2017)1

Robotics

  • Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award (1977)
  • IEEE Robotics and Automation Award (2004)

Statistics

  • Rousseeuw Prize for Statistics (2022)
  • International Prize in Statistics (2017)
  • COPSS Presidents' Award (1981)1

Technology

  • Millennium Technology Prize (2004)

There are two other technology awards also sometimes referred to as a "Nobel":

  • Lemelson–MIT Prize (1995), which is dubbed as the "Nobel Prize of inventing" or "Oscar for inventors", awarded to outstanding mid-career inventors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and have received a bachelor's degree within 25 years, as well as Lemelson–MIT Lifetime Achievement Award (awarded from 1995 to 2006), which recognized distinguished inventors whose pioneering spirit and inventiveness throughout their careers improved society and inspired others
  • Honda Prize (1980), an international award that acknowledges the efforts of an individual or group who contribute new ideas which may lead the next generation in the field of ecotechnology, sometimes referred to as the "Nobel Prize in technology" since it has put a spotlight on achievements in a variety of fields based on a wide perspective in the future, including two Turing-awarded artificial intelligence accomplishments

Biological sciences, cognitive sciences and health sciences

Bioengineering

  • Russ Prize (2001)
  • Robert A. Pritzker Distinguished Lecture Award (1991)

Biology/ecology

  • Crafoord Prize in Biosciences (1984)

Biomedicine

  • Lasker Award (1946)
  • Canada Gairdner Award (1959)
  • Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize
  • Warren Alpert Foundation Prize
  • UNESCO Science Prize
  • Wolf Prize in Medicine (1978)

Cognitive science

  • Rumelhart Prize (2001)
  • Jean Nicod Prize (1993) recognizes top research in philosophically oriented cognitive sciences and the philosophy of mind.

Conservation biology

  • Indianapolis Prize (2006)
  • BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Ecology and Conservation Biology (2008)

Dentistry/oral sciences

  • IADR Gold Medal (2018)
  • IADR Distinguished Scientist Award (1960)

Environmental epidemiology

  • John Goldsmith Award

Neuroscience

  • Brain Prize (2011)

Nursing

  • Florence Nightingale Medal (1920)

Optometry

  • Glenn A. Fry Award

Pharmaceutical research

  • Prix Galien Award

Psychology

  • Grawemeyer Award (2001)
  • Kurt-Koffka Medal (2008)

Geosciences, agricultural sciences and environmental sciences

Agriculture

  • Wolf Prize in Agriculture (1978)
  • World Food Prize (1987)
  • Bertebos Prize (1997)

Atmospheric science

  • Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal (1951)

Earth science

  • Crafoord Prize in Geosciences (1983)

Environmental science

  • Blue Planet Prize (1992)
  • Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (1974)

Forestry

  • Marcus Wallenberg Prize (1981)

Geography

  • Vautrin Lud Prize (1991)
  • Vega Medal (1881)1

Geology

  • Vetlesen Prize (1960)
  • Wollaston Medal (1831)
  • Penrose Medal (1927)

Hydrology

  • International Hydrology Prize (1981)
  • Robert E. Horton Medal (1976)

Limnology

  • Naumann-Thienemann Medal (1930)

Meteorology

  • International Meteorological Organization Prize (1956)

Oceanography

  • A.G. Huntsman Award for Excellence in the Marine Sciences (1980)
  • Alexander Agassiz Medal (1913)

Soil science

  • Dokuchaev Award

Sustainability

  • Katerva Award

There are two other environmental awards often referred to as a "Nobel":

  • Goldman Environmental Prize (1990) for environmental activism, often referred to as the "Green Nobel"
  • Stockholm Water Prize (1991) for water-related achievements, known as the "Nobel Prize of water"

Social sciences and disciplines, business, humanities, and the arts

Anthropology

  • Huxley Memorial Medal and Lecture (1900)
  • The Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography (SSAG), whose highest patron is the King of Sweden, awards a Gold Medal (called Retzius Medal before 2015) to world-leading scholars in anthropology and human geography.

Architecture

  • Pritzker Prize (1979)
  • Royal Gold Medal
  • European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture

See also 'Arts' below.

Arts

  • Praemium Imperiale, includes award categories in painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and a single film and theatre category.
  • Wolf Prize in Arts (1981)

See also 'Architecture' and 'Nobel Prize in Literature' above, and 'Design', 'Music', and 'Photography' below.

Criminology

  • Stockholm Prize in Criminology (2006)

Design

  • Red Dot Design Award

Economics

  • Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (1969)
  • John Bates Clark Medal (1947)1
  • Erwin Plein Nemmers Prize in Economics (1994)
  • John von Neumann Award (1995)2

Education

  • Karolinska Prize for Research in Medical Education (2004)
  • WISE Prize
  • Yidan Prize is the world's most prestigious award in educational research.

Entrepreneurship

  • Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research (1996)

Film

  • Academy Awards (1929)

See also 'Arts' above.

Finance

  • Deutsche Bank Prize in Financial Economics (2005)
  • IAQF Financial Engineer of the Year (1993)
  • Fischer Black Prize (2003)1

Geography

  • Vautrin Lud Prize (1991)
  • The Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography (SSAG), whose highest patron is the King of Sweden, awards a Gold Medal (called Retzius Medal before 2015) to world-leading scholars in human geography and anthropology.

See the section on Geosciences, Agricultural Sciences and Environmental Sciences awards above for prizes focused exclusively on physical geography.

Human rights

  • Martin Ennals Award (1994)

Humanities

  • Kluge Prize (2003)

Journalism

  • Pulitzer Prize

Linguistics

  • Neil and Saras Smith Medal for Linguistics (2014)

Literature

  • Hans Christian Andersen Award for writers and illustrators of children's literature. The writer award is sometimes referred to as the 'little Nobel'.

See also 'Prizes sponsored by the Nobel Foundation' above.

Music/musicology

  • Ernst von Siemens Music Prize (1972)
  • Polar Music Prize (1989)
  • Gramophone Classical Music Awards
  • Diapason d'Or
  • Picasso Medal

See also 'Arts' above.

Painting

See 'Arts' above.

Philosophy

  • Berggruen Philosophy Prize (2016)
  • Rolf Schock Prize (1993)
  • Jean Nicod Prize recognizes top research in the philosophy of mind and philosophically oriented cognitive sciences.

Photography

  • Hasselblad Award (1980)

Political science

  • Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science (1995)

Public service/public administration

  • United Nations Public Service Awards (2003)

Records and Information Management

  • Emmett Leahy Award (1967)1

Sculpture

See 'Arts' above.

Social sciences/sociology

  • Holberg Prize (2003)
  • Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences1
  • Stein Rokkan Prize for Comparative Social Science Research (1981)

Theatre

  • Tony Awards

See 'Arts' above.

Tourism

  • UNWTO Ulysses Prize (2003)

Urbanism

  • Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize (2010)

Other fields

Religion

  • Templeton Prize (1973)

Sports

  • Laureus World Sports Awards

See also

  • Ig Nobel Prize (1991), a satiric prize to celebrate ten unusual or trivial achievements in scientific research every year
  • Right Livelihood Award (1980), which recognizes contributions to solving global problems, oftentimes called "Alternative Nobel Prize" and understood as a critique of the traditional Nobel prizes
  • Japan Prize (1985), which recognizes outstanding achievements in applied science (as opposed to the Nobel prizes, which tend to focus on basic science), selecting two fields for the prize according to current trends in science and technology
  • Kyoto Prize (1985), which was created in collaboration with the Nobel Foundation and is regarded by many as Japan's version of the Nobel Prizes, representing one of the most prestigious awards available in fields that are not traditionally honored with a Nobel, consisting of three different categories: advanced technology, basic sciences, and arts and philosophy
  • Crafoord Prize (1982), whose laureates are selected by Swedish Royal Academies, who are also responsible for the selection of Nobel Prize laureates in physics, chemistry, literature, and economics, recognizing outstanding achievements in four disciplines to complement the Nobel (namely, astronomy and mathematics; geosciences; biosciences, with particular emphasis on ecology; and polyarthritis research), of which only one prize is awarded each year on a rotating basis by discipline, and the prize in polyarthritis is awarded only when substantial progress in the field has been made
  • Rolf Schock Prizes (1993), which are awarded every three years also by Swedish Royal Academies, including four prizes in the fields of logic and philosophy, mathematics, the visual arts, and music
  • Heineken Prizes (1964), which are awarded every two years by Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, including six prizes in the fields of biophysics and biochemistry (1964), art (1988), medicine (1989), history (1990), environmental science (1990), and cognitive science (2006)
  • Wolf Prize (1978), which is considered second in importance to the Nobel Prize (but considered first in importance for the fields that doesn't have a Nobel Prize), with more than a third of recipients going on to win the Nobel, recognizing outstanding achievements in medicine, agriculture, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and arts
  • Harvey Prize (1972), which is another prestigious Israeli award, with more than a quarter of recipients going on to win the Nobel (while recipients of the Nobel or Wolf Prizes are generally not eligible for the Harvey Prize, unless the accomplishments cited in the nomination represent new or different work), recognizing breakthroughs in science and technology, as well as contributions to peace in the Middle East
  • Bower Awards (1990), conferred by the Franklin Institute, including the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science, which recognizes significant contributions in a prescribed discipline that changes each year, and the Bower Award for Business Leadership, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in an American business or industry
  • Benjamin Franklin Medal (1998), which recognizes outstanding contributions in seven disciplines of science and engineering (namely, chemistry; civil and mechanical engineering; computer and cognitive science; earth and environmental science; electrical engineering; life science; and physics), created in 1998 by reorganizing all of the endowed medals presented by the Franklin Institute at that time, including the Franklin Medal presented from 1915 until 1997, the Elliott Cresson Medal presented from 1875 until 1997, and other Franklin Institute medals presented since 1824, which have long been recognized as the oldest, and most comprehensive science and technology honor bestowed in the United States and around the world
  • Copley Medal (1731), conferred by the Royal Society, thought to be the world's oldest science prize, pre-dating the Nobel Prize by 170 years, and now alternating between the physical sciences (including mathematics, chemistry, astronomy, geology) and the biological sciences (odd and even years respectively)
  • Feltrinelli Prize (1950), conferred by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, the world's oldest existing Academy of Sciences, annually awarding an International Prize, which rotates around five categories (namely, humanities; physical, mathematical and natural sciences; literature; arts; medicine), as well as a possible special international prize for an exceptional enterprise of high moral and humanitarian value; four National Prizes whose fields vary each year; and four additional national prizes entitled "Antonio Feltrinelli Giovani" to Italian scholars under 40 years of age, as well as another possible Antonio Feltrinelli Giovani one to a foreigner who has established a collaboration with an Italian scientific institution for at least 24 months
  • Lomonosov Gold Medal (1959), conferred by the USSR Academy of Sciences and later the Russian Academy of Sciences, annually awarding two medals, one to a domestic scientist and one to a foreigner for outstanding achievements in the natural sciences as well as the humanities, an award similar to which conferred by the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is the Vernadsky Gold Medal (2003)
  • Grande Médaille (1997), conferred by the French Academy of Sciences, to an international distinguished researcher in a different field each year, created in 1997 by combining more than 100 historic foundation prizes, such as Lalande-Valz Prize (Lalande Prize, 1803–1970; Valz Prize, 1877–1970; Lalande-Valz Prize, 1970–1996) and Poincaré Medal (1914–1996)
  • Max Planck-Humboldt Research Award (2018), succeeding the Max Planck Research Award for International Cooperation (1990–2004) and the Max Planck Research Award (2004–2017), annually awarded to an internationally renowned mid-career researcher with outstanding future potential from outside Germany but having a strong interest in a research residency in Germany for limited time periods, alternately in the fields of natural and engineering sciences, human sciences, and life sciences, as well as the Max Planck-Humboldt Medal (2018) awarded to other two finalists
  • Breakthrough Prize (2013), the world's most generous science prize, known as the "Oscars of Science", recognizing outstanding achievements in three categories: life sciences, fundamental physics, and mathematics
  • Kavli Prize (2008), which recognizes scientists for their seminal advances in three research areas: astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience, awarded every second year
  • Future Science Prize (2016), awarded to life sciences, physical sciences and mathematics. It has sometimes been called "China's Nobel Prize".
  • Gruber Prizes (2000), whose International Prize Program honors scientists in the fields of cosmology (2000), genetics (2001), and neuroscience (2004) for their groundbreaking work providing new models that inspire and enable fundamental shifts in knowledge and culture; and whose two other previous prizes for justice (2001–2011) and women's rights (2003–2011) have merged and transitioned into the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women's Rights
  • Shaw Prize (2004), which is described as the "Nobel of the East" or "Nobel Prize of Asia", recognizing outstanding contributions in three categories: astronomy, life science and medicine, and mathematical sciences
  • Tang Prize (2014), which is also considered as an Asian Nobel, recognizing outstanding contributions in four categories: sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, sinology, and rule of law
  • Ramon Magsaysay Award (1958), which is also considered as the Nobel Prize counterpart of Asia, awarded exclusively to Asian individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions in six categories (namely, government service; public service; community leadership; journalism, literature and creative communication arts; peace and international understanding; and emergent leadership), the first five of which have been succeeded by an uncategorized one since 2009, celebrating greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in Asia
  • King Faisal Prize (1979), which recognizes outstanding contributions in five categories (namely, service to Islam; Islamic studies; Arabic language and literature; medicine; and science), the first three of which are widely considered as the most prestigious awards in the Muslim world, and more than 20 laureates of the other two in science and medicine have won the Nobel
  • Mustafa Prize (2015), which is dubbed the "Islamic Nobel Prize" for science and technology, and is awarded to the scientists working in the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for outstanding contributions in three selected categories (namely, information and communication science and technology; life and medical science and technology; and nanoscience and nanotechnology), regardless of his/her religion; and also awarded to best Muslim scientists all over the world in all areas of science and technology, regardless of his/her nationality
  • Infosys Prize (2008), which could be called the Nobel Prize of India, recognizing outstanding contributions in six categories: mathematical sciences (2008), physical sciences (2009), life sciences (2009), social sciences (2009), engineering and computer science (2010), and humanities (2012), awarded to researchers under 50 years of age, in a preference order to ones of Indian residents (Indian citizens and non-Indians who have been residing in India for at least three years), ones of Indian origin, and ones of any nationality or origin, resident and working anywhere, who has done world class work in their field
  • Princess of Asturias Awards (1981), formerly the Prince of Asturias Awards from 1981 to 2014, seen as the Spain's version of the Nobel Prizes or the Hispanic world's Nobel, recognizing notable achievements in sciences, humanities, and public affairs, consisting of eight different categories: arts, social sciences, communication and humanities, concord (peace), international cooperation, sports, technical and scientific research, and literature
  • BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards (2008), which recognize significant contributions in eight categories: basic science (physics, chemistry, mathematics); biology and biomedicine; ecology and conservation biology; climate change; information and communications technologies; economics, finance and management; humanities and social sciences; music and opera
  • WCC World Awards (1984), including the Albert Einstein World Award of Science (1984), the José Vasconcelos World Award of Education (1985), and the Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Arts (1989), which are awarded to outstanding scientists, educators, and artists, respectively, and the first one is awarded annually and the other two alternate in even and odd years respectively
  • Dan David Prize (2002), which annually awards three prizes whose fields vary each year and are chosen within the three time dimensions - Past, Present and Future, for achievements having an outstanding scientific, technological, cultural or social impact on our world
  • Balzan Prize (1961), which annually awards four prizes chosen from two categories (namely, literature, moral sciences and the arts; and physical, mathematical and natural sciences and medicine), two per category, whose fields vary each year; and also awards a prize for humanity, peace and fraternity among peoples every three to seven years
  • Heinz Awards (1995), which annually award five prizes in the fields of arts and humanities; environment; human condition; public policy; and technology, the economy and employment; and in certain years also award the Chairman's Medal to honor the lifetime achievement of a particular individual
  • Grawemeyer Award (1985), which pays tribute to the power of creative ideas, emphasizing the impact a single idea can have on the world, rather than a lifetime of accomplishment, honoring individuals in the fields of music composition (1985), ideas improving world order (1988), education (1989), religion (1990), and psychology (2001)

References


Text submitted to CC-BY-SA license. Source: List of prizes known as the Nobel or the highest honors of a field by Wikipedia (Historical)



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