FUNDING MEMO

Title: 2024 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science

Funding Agency: Franklin Institute

External Deadline(s):

02/28/2023 02:00 PM PST (Email of Intent to Nominate)
03/31/2023 02:00 PM PDT (Nomination)

Cognizant Office: Division

Description:

The Franklin Institute seeks nominations for the 2024 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science of individuals who have made significant contributions to understanding the unique properties of soft matter or to the development of applications utilizing soft matter.

2024 Theme:  The Physics of Soft Matter: Self-Assembling, Responsive, Smart

Frequency: Typically annual

Total Award: $250,000

• Laureates receive $250,000 and a 14-karat gold medal.
• The laureate must participate in The Franklin Institute Awards Week programs, to be held in April 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Indirect Costs:

N/A - Prize

Duration: N/A - Prize

Discipline(s): Engineering and Applied Science; Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy

Eligibility: Research Faculty, Tenure-Track Faculty, Tenured Faculty

• This is an international competition for individuals who have made significant contributions to understanding the unique properties of soft matter or to the development of applications utilizing soft matter.
• The award and prize must be presented to an individual.
• Candidates must be living and the winner must participate in The Franklin Institute Awards Week programs, to be held in April 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Nominations from any individual or organization will be accepted, including self-nominations.
• Nominations of candidates traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering are particularly encouraged.

Research Areas of Interest:

• Nominations should recognize contributions with broad impact centered on the physics of soft matter, including interdisciplinary work in which the physics of soft matter plays a central role. Nominations may be for fundamental or application-oriented science, whether theoretical, experimental, or computational in nature. Nominations are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following areas:
  • Polymers; emulsions; liquid crystals; colloidal liquids, crystals, and glasses;
  • Elastomers, gels, foams, granular systems;
  • Living matter, far-from-equilibrium systems, active matter;
  • Technological advances based on the properties of soft matter;
  • Measurement paradigms using soft materials and soft matter concepts.
• Nominations should clearly indicate the scientific significance—innovative, technical, conceptual—and the societal/economic impact of the nominee's work.

Recent Caltech Recipients:

• Frances Arnold (2019, Chemistry)
• Seymour Benzer (2004, Life Science)

Guidelines & Other Information:

Guidelines: https://www.fi.edu/awards/bower-award-prize-achievement-science

Past Laureates: https://www.fi.edu/laureates-search?field_subject_tid=All&field_award_tid=61

Awards Committee: https://www.fi.edu/awards/about/committee-on-science-and-the-arts

This memo is provided for informational purposes only. Individual nomination submissions should be coordinated within each division.

Opportunity ID: 1359