VinFuture Prize
The VinFuture 'Prize' is an annual international award established in Vietnam in 2020 by the VinFuture Foundation. The foundation aims to promote research in health, technology, and sustainability.
Founders
The VinFuture Foundation was established in 2020 by Phạm Nhật Vượng, founder of Vingroup, and his wife, Phạm Thu Hương. The organization operates as an independent non-profit entity with the stated mission of recognizing research in line with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.Prize Council
The VinFuture Foundation Prize Council is responsible for setting criteria, evaluating laureates and selecting them for the prize.The Prize Council is chaired by Sir Richard Henry Friend, Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge, and includes members from international universities and research institutions.
Members
- Prof. Pascale Cossart, FRS
- Prof. Van-Chi Dang
- Prof. Soumitra Dutta
- Prof. Martin Andrew Green
- Prof. Daniel Kammen
- Prof. Sir Konstantin S. Novoselov, FRS
- Prof. Pamela Ronald
- Prof. Daniela Rus
- Prof. Leslie Gabriel Valiant, FRS
Honorary members
Prof. Susan Solomon, Prof. Albert P. Pisano, Dr. Xuedong Huang, Prof. Myles Allen, Prof. Jennifer Tour Chayes, Prof. Gérard Albert Mourou, Prof. Micheal Eugene Porter and Prof. Ha-Van Vu.
The VinFuture Prize Pre-Screening Committee
The Pre-Screening Committee is responsible for identifying and reviewing qualified nominees based on the selection criteria established by the Prize Council, and preparing and presenting supporting documents for the shortlist to the Prize Council.Members
- Prof. Thuc-Quyen Nguyen
- Prof. Ngoc-Minh Do
- Prof. Ana Belén Elgoyhen
- Dr. Filippo Giorgi
- Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, FRS
- Prof. Ermias Kebreab
- Dr. Jayshree Seth
- Prof. Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
- Prof. Fiona Watt
- Prof. Vivian Yam
Honorary members
- Prof. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber
- Prof. Mônica Alonso Cotta
- Prof. Alta Schutte
- Prof. Albert P. Pisano
- Prof. Myles Allen
- Mr. Akihisa Kakimoto
- Prof. Duc-Thu Nguyen
- Prof. Molly Shoichet
- Mr. Truong Quoc Hung
- Prof. Trac D. Tran
- Dr. Bui Hai Hung
Award process
Nomination
Nominations are compiled and qualified by the VinFuture Prize Secretaries before the pre-screening round, which includes scientists in natural science, health science, agriculture, earth science, environmental science, computer science, engineering, and technology, along with experts in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biotechnology, new materials, environmental conservation, and other fields.The nominations are evaluated by the VinFuture Prize Pre-Screening Committee, based on three core criteria:
- Scientific and technological advancement
- Meaningful changes in people's lives
- Scale of impact and sustainability
Selection
Four scientific discoveries that improve human lives and enhance equitability and sustainability for future generations are selected by the VinFuture Prize Council. A Grand Prize and three special prizes are awarded annually. The prize winners are announced at the VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony. The Grand Prize awards $3 million in funding, and the special prizes award $500,000 in funding each, based on the following categories:- Special Prize for an excellent researcher or innovator from a developing-nation institute.
- Special Prize for an outstanding female researcher or innovator.
- Special Prize for groundbreaking discovery or invention in an emerging field of science or technology that has the potential to make a substantial beneficial impact on mankind in the future.
Award ceremony
Performers
VinFuture has invited international artists to perform, with the performance being broadcast on VTV.| Year of ceremony | Artist | Performed work | City | Venue |
| 2021 | John Legend | "You Deserve It All" "All of Me" "Imagine" | Hanoi | Hanoi Opera House |
| 2022 | Christina Aguilera | "Beautiful" "The Voice Within" "A Million Dreams" | Hanoi | Hanoi Opera House |
| 2023 | Katy Perry | "Unconditionally" "Roar" "Firework" | Hanoi | Hồ Gươm Opera |
| 2024 | Imagine Dragons | "Believer" "Whatever It Takes" "Walking the Wire" | Hanoi | Hồ Gươm Opera |
| 2025 | Alicia Keys | "Fallin'" "No One" "If I Ain't Got You" | Hanoi | Hồ Gươm Opera |
The Sci-Tech Week
The VinFuture Sci-Tech Week brings together scientists, politicians, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Scientists gather in Vietnam to participate in the four main events of the VinFuture Sci-Tech Week: a conversation with the Prize Council and Pre-screening Committee, a "Science for Life" Symposium, the inaugural VinFuture Award Ceremony, and a Scientific Dialogue with the inaugural VinFuture Prize Laureates.The VinFuture Award Ceremony
The VinFuture Award Ceremony is a formal event attended by Vietnamese government leaders, scientists, and recipients of scientific honors such as the Nobel Prize, Millennium Technology Prize, Turing Award, and others. The award ceremony is broadcast live on local as well as global science and technology platforms.Laureates
Reception
The nominations have received praise from Professor Sir Richard Henry Friend, and the Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge.Nobel Laureate Sir Konstantin Novoselov has commented on VinFuture Prize's "promotion of diversity and inclusion in the global scientific community".