The Philomathia Prize
The Philomathia Prize honors exceptional early career UC Berkeley STEM faculty with a $200,000 award to support innovative and original research projects.
Funder: University of California Berkeley
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026: Full application deadline | November 2026: Department Chair nomination deadline | December 2026: Dean review and ranking deadline
Funding Amounts: $200,000 prize; one award annually; funds must be expended within 3 years.
Summary: Recognizes exceptional early career UC Berkeley faculty for distinguished research and supports innovative projects with a major annual award.
Key Information: 2026 cycle is open to STEM disciplines only; only one prize awarded per year.
Description
The Philomathia Prize is a prestigious annual award established to recognize and support outstanding early career faculty at the University of California, Berkeley. Funded by the Philomathia Foundation, the prize honors faculty members who demonstrate exceptional distinction and promise in their academic field, with the goal of inspiring innovative, original research at a pivotal career stage. The award alternates each year between STEM and non-STEM disciplines; the 2026 cycle is open to STEM fields only. The selection process considers the applicant’s research record, proposal strength, and contributions to campus and teaching. Recipients may use the funds for new or ongoing research projects and have broad discretion in their use, subject to campus policy.
