The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has announced an $11.4 million gift from physicist Mani L. Bhaumik to establish an annual prize to recognize scientific breakthroughs.

Building on the well-established Science Breakthrough of the Year published by the Science family of journals each December, the Mani L. Bhaumik Breakthrough of the Year Award will provide a $250,000 annual cash prize—the largest for any scientific society—to up to three scientists whose foundational research and activities best exemplify the top research advance of the year as determined by Science.

After the news and editorial staff of Science select and publish the Breakthroughs of the Year, a committee of approximately 10 individuals will select up to three winners whose work best exemplifies the related research field to receive the Bhaumik Breakthrough of the Year Award. Starting in 2023, a selection committee convened by the journal’s editor-in-chief will meet in January of each year to determine the winner or winners, who will be announced by the end of March. The scientist or scientists who receive the award will be invited to present at a public symposium about their award-winning contributions. 

“The international award will help the science most poised to change the world have its maximum impact,” said Sudip S. Parikh, AAAS chief executive and executive publisher of Science. “It has the power to propel discovery and advance innovation society needs.”

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