Future Insight Prize
Future Insight Prize supports scientists whose discoveries advance the vision of an autonomous AI-robotic scientist, funding further research toward a system capable of major scientific discoveries.
Funder: Merck KGaA (EMD Group)
Due Dates: February 10, 2027 (Applications open) | March 10, 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to €1,000,000 in research funding, plus a trophy
Summary: Recognizes scientific breakthroughs that bring visionary products of global importance closer to reality.
Key Information: Formal applications are by jury invitation only; self-nominations are not accepted.
Description
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany sponsors the Future Insight Prize to recognize scientists whose discoveries or enabling technologies make significant progress toward ambitious “dream products” for humanity. The prize has addressed challenges in health, nutrition and energy, including pandemic preparedness, food generation and converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into fuel.
The 2027 topic is the AI-empowered robotic scientist: a fully autonomous AI-robotic system capable of advancing science and making discoveries worthy of a Nobel Prize. The prize recognizes previous scientific work that helps lay the foundation for realizing the dream product, while its research grant supports the recipient’s further work.
