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Science prizes: The new Nobels

Nature volume 498, pages 152–154 (2013)Cite this article

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The launch of several science mega-prizes is making some researchers millionaires — but others question whether such awards are the best way to promote their field.

As reactions to winning a multimillion-dollar prize go, Alexander Polyakov's words were less than gushing. It was the culmination of a glittering award ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, in March, hosted by Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman and featuring an operatic interlude from British singer Sarah Brightman. After a hushed pause, the physicist from Princeton University, New Jersey, was revealed as the winner of the 2013 Fundamental Physics Prize and an accompanying payment of US$3 million. “This new prize is an interesting experiment,” a flustered Polyakov said moments later, after walking off stage clutching his sculptured silver trophy. “Such big prizes could become very influential and they can have a positive impact, or they can be very dangerous.”

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  1. Zeeya Merali is a science writer based in London.,

    Zeeya Merali

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Merali, Z. Science prizes: The new Nobels. Nature 498, 152–154 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/498152a

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