Abel Prize

The ‘Abel Prize’ is a prestigious international award presented annually by the King of Norway to one or more outstanding mathematicians. Named after the Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel, the award was established in 2002 by the Government of Norway and complements the Holberg Prize in the humanities. It is often described as the “Nobel Prize” for mathematics, as there is no Nobel Prize awarded for this discipline.

History and Establishment

The idea of creating an award to honor exceptional contributions in the field of mathematics was first proposed in 1899 by the Norwegian mathematician Sophus Lie when he learned that Alfred Nobel’s plans for annual prizes would not include a prize in mathematics. The Abel Prize was officially announced by the Norwegian government in 2001, and the first award was presented in 2003.

The prize is managed by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, with the choice of laureates determined by an international committee of five distinguished mathematicians. The committee is appointed by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters based on nominations from the International Mathematical Union and the European Mathematical Society.

Award and Ceremony

The Abel Prize carries a monetary award of approximately 7.5 million Norwegian kroner (roughly equivalent to €750,000 or $1 million), making it one of the most substantial awards in the field of mathematics. The prize is presented annually by the King of Norway at a ceremony held in Oslo, usually in May.

In addition to the monetary award, the laureate receives the Abel Prize Laureate Plaque, designed by the Norwegian artist Annasif Døhlen. The plaque features a portrait of Niels Henrik Abel and the inscription of the laureate’s name and the year of the award.

Selection Criteria

The Abel Prize is awarded to mathematicians who have made extraordinary contributions to the field, with a focus on advances in mathematical theory, groundbreaking discoveries, and the resolution of long-standing mathematical problems. The prize also recognizes the overall impact of a mathematician’s work on the field and its potential to influence future research.

Candidates for the Abel Prize are nominated by members of the international mathematical community, including academic institutions, research organizations, and individual mathematicians. The nomination process is confidential, and self-nominations are not accepted.

Notable Laureates

Since its inception in 2003, the Abel Prize has been awarded to some of the most influential and innovative mathematicians of our time. Some notable laureates include:

• Jean-Pierre Serre (2003): Awarded for his pioneering contributions to algebraic geometry, number theory, and topology.
• Sir Michael Francis Atiyah (2004): Recognized for his fundamental contributions to geometry and topology, including the Atiyah-Singer index theorem.
• Peter D. Lax (2005): Honored for his groundbreaking contributions to the theory and applications of partial differential equations and to the computation of their solutions.
• John Milnor (2011): Awarded for his pioneering discoveries in topology, geometry, and algebra.
• Karen Uhlenbeck (2019): The first woman to be awarded the Abel Prize, recognized for her fundamental work in geometric partial differential equations, gauge theory, and integrable systems.

Impact and Significance

The Abel Prize has become one of the most prestigious awards in mathematics, recognizing the highest levels of achievement and innovation in the field. By honoring outstanding mathematicians, the prize serves to raise public awareness of the importance of mathematics and its role in advancing scientific knowledge and understanding.

The recognition bestowed by the Abel Prize also helps to inspire and encourage young mathematicians to pursue careers in research and to strive for excellence in their work. The prize has become a symbol of the global mathematical community’s commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge and discovery.