Tang Prize

The Tang Prize is a set of Taiwanese biennial international awards bestowed in four fields: Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science, Sinology, and Rule of Law. Nomination and selection are conducted by an independent selection committee, which is formed in partial cooperation with the Academia Sinica, Taiwan's national research institution. It is awarded every two years, and is among the most lucrative academic prizes in the world, with a cash grant exceeding US$1.4 million.

Philosophy

Taiwanese billionaire entrepreneur Samuel Yin announced the creation of the Tang Prizes in January 2013 aiming to "encourage individuals across the globe to chart the middle path to sustainable development".
With the aim to recognize and support contributors for their revolutionary efforts in the research fields critical to the 21st century, the Tang Prize is global in reach. Laureates are selected on the basis of the originality of their work along with their contributions to society, irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity, or nationality.

Award categories

The award categories of the Tang Prize include Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science, Sinology, and Rule of Law.
The Prize in Sustainable Development recognizes those who have made extraordinary contributions to the sustainable development of human societies, especially through groundbreaking innovations in science and technology.
The Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science recognizes original biopharmaceutical or biomedical research that has led to significant advances towards preventing, diagnosing and/or treating major human diseases to improve human health.
The Prize in Sinology recognizes the study of Sinology in its broadest sense, awarding research on China and its related fields, such as Chinese thought, history, philology, linguistics, archaeology, philosophy, religion, traditional canons, literature, and art. Honoring innovations in the field of Sinology, the Prize showcases Chinese culture and its contributions to the development of human civilization.
The Prize in Rule of Law recognizes individual or institution who have made significant contributions to the rule of law, reflected not only in the achievement of the candidate in terms of the advancement of legal theory or practice, but also in the realization of the rule of law in contemporary societies through the influences or inspiration of the work of the candidate.

Laureates

Each laureate receives a and . In addition, NT$40 million cash prize is awarded in each category, as well as a research grant of NT$10 million, for a total of NT$50 million. Should two, or up to three, candidates receive an award in the same category, the cash prize and research grant are shared.

Year

Field

Name

Nationality

Citation

2024

Rule of Law

Mary Robinson

Ireland

List of countries by laureates

Until 2024.

Rank

Country

Laureates

United States

Selection Committee

for the first and second Tang Prize cycles were conducted by the Academica Sinica on commission of the Tang Prize Foundation; beginning with the third prize cycle, nomination and selection are now conducted by an independent selection committee which is formed in partial cooperation with the Academia Sinica.
The Tang Prize Selection Committee is composed of four separate committees, one per prize category. The committees invite respected scholars and institutions from around the world, including many Nobel laureates, to submit nominees, ensuring those nominated have attained a sufficient level of achievement.

Timeline

Events during the award year:

Time	Event
May	Decisions made by the Selection Committee.
June 18–21	Announcement of the laureate in each of the award category.
September	Award Ceremony and the Tang Prize Week events.