Basic sciences - chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology - allow us to understand natural phenomena and drive innovation. Investing in these disciplines is essential to create the tools we need to address global socio-economic and environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, technology divide, water and energy crises.
The UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev International Prize in the Basic Sciences was created in 2019 to foster scientific progress, science popularization and international cooperation in the basic sciences. It also commemorates the remarkable scientific heritage of Dimitri Ivanovitch Mendeleev, father of the Periodic Table, who’s work played a fundamental role in the future of chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy and geochemistry – but also in what is now termed sustainable development.
It is awarded annually to two individual award-winners for their breakthrough discoveries, outstanding innovations and avid promotion of the basic sciences, driving or with potential to drive in the future, socio-economic transformation and development of human societies. The Prize consists of a monetary reward of US $250,000 for each of the two winners. A gold medal and a diploma are given to each of the recipients.