Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics

Initially named Fundamental Physics Prize,[1] it was founded in July 2012 by Russia-born Israeli entrepreneur, venture capitalist and physicist Yuri Milner.

[8] This is a listing of the laureates by year (including Special Prize winners): University of Hong Kong, Rutgers University (Luk) Lyman Page Jr., David N. Spergel and the WMAP Science Team (Chris Barnes, Olivier Doré, Joanna Dunkley, Ben Gold, Michael Greason, Mark Halpern, Robert Hill, Al Kogut, Eiichiro Komatsu, David Larson, Michele Limon, Stephan Meyer, Michael Nolta, Nils Odegard, Hiranya Peiris, Kendrick Smith, Greg Tucker, Licia Verde, Janet Weiland, Ed Wollack, E. Wollack, Ned Wright)[14] The New Horizons in Physics Prize, awarded to promising junior researchers, carries an award of $100,000.

[24] The Fundamental Physics Prize trophy, a work of art created by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson,[26] is a silver sphere with a coiled vortex inside.

[27] The name of the 2013 prize winner was unveiled at the culmination of a ceremony which took place on the evening of March 20, 2013 at the Geneva International Conference Centre.

They perpetuate the myth of the lone genius.... As much as some scientists may grumble about the new awards, the financial doping that they bring to research and the wisdom of the goals behind them, two things seem clear.