The VinFuture Prize is an annual international award established in 2020 by the Vietnam-based VinFuture Foundation. The foundation aims to promote research in health, technology, and sustainability.
The VinFuture Foundation was founded in 2020 by Phạm NháºÂt Vðợng (founder of Vingroup) with his wife, Phạm Thu Hðáng. The organization operates as an independent nonprofit entity with the stated mission of recognizing research in line with the United Nationsâ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The VinFuture Foundation Prize Council is responsible for setting criteria, evaluating laureates, and selecting winners in recognition of research that "has or will have the potential to bring solutions that can be applied to the everyday life of ordinary people."
The Prize Council is chaired by Sir Richard Henry Friend, the Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge, and includes members from international universities and research institutions.
There are 15 honorary members recognized for strategic advisory roles, including Prof. Susan Solomon, Prof. Albert P. Pisano, Dr. Xuedong Huang, Prof. Myles Allen, Prof. Jennifer Tour Chayes, Prof. Gérard Albert Mourou, Prof. Micheal Eugene Porter, and Prof. Soumitra Dutta.
The Pre-Screening Committee is responsible for identifying and reviewing qualified nominees based on the selection criteria established by the Prize Council, as well as preparing and presenting supporting documents for the shortlist to the Prize Council.
Nominations are compiled and qualified by the VinFuture Prize Secretaries before the pre-screening round, which includes experts in natural science, health science, earth science, environmental science, computer science, material science, engineering, agriculture, technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, environmental conservation, and other fields.
The nominations are evaluated by the VinFuture Prize Pre-Screening Committee, based on three core criteria:
Candidates must adhere to the List of 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
Four scientific discoveries that improve human lives and enhance equitability and sustainability for future generations are selected by the VinFuture Prize Council. A Grand Prize and three special prizes are awarded annually. The prize winners are announced at the VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony. The Grand Prize awards $3 million in funding, and the special prizes award $500,000 in funding to each winner based on the following categories:
The VinFuture Sci-Tech Week and Award Ceremony are held annually, aiming to foster connections between Vietnam's scientific and technological communities and the global community.
VinFuture has invited international artists to perform, with the performance being broadcast on VTV.
The VinFuture Sci-Tech Week brings together scientists, politicians, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Scientists gather in Vietnam to participate in the four main events of the VinFuture Sci-Tech Week: a conversation with the Prize Council and Pre-screening Committee, a "Science for Life" Symposium, the inaugural VinFuture Award Ceremony, and a Scientific Dialogue with the inaugural VinFuture Prize Laureates.
The VinFuture Award Ceremony is a formal event attended by Vietnamese government leaders, scientists, and recipients of scientific honors such as the Nobel Prize, Millennium Technology Prize, Turing Award, and others. The award ceremony is broadcast live on local and global science and technology platforms.
The nominations have received praise from Sir Richard Henry Friend, the Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge.
Nobel Laureate Sir Konstantin Novoselov has commented on VinFuture Prize's "promotion of diversity and inclusion in the global scientific community".