Nomination process

• Candidates shall have made a significant contribution to the popularization of science. The Prize may be conferred upon individuals, institutions, other entities or non-governmental organizations;
• The applicants does not need to have a science degree;
• This prize does not reward research;
• This prize does not reward formal teaching (at school/university), nor curriculum development for the formal learning sector;
• If a work being rewarded has been produced by two or three persons, the prize shall be awarded to them jointly. The prize may not be shared by more than three persons.

Call for applications

The 2023 call for applications is closed. The next call will be issued in 2025.

The 2023 edition of the prize will be awarded to Prof. Ana Maria Cetto from Mexico on 13 November 2023, at a ceremony commemorating World Science Day for Peace and Development on 10 November 2023.

• Ceremony of the prize

Candidates should be nominated by the governments of Member States, in consultation with their National Commissions, or by any non-governmental organizations (NGO) in official partnerships with UNESCO, active in the field of science communication. Individual applicants should contact the Permanent Delegation of their Member State to UNESCO, their National Commission for UNESCO, or the relevant NGO to endorse their application.

Self-nomination without the appropriate nomination letter cannot be considered.

Each application, whether submitted by an individual, or by the nominating Member State or NGO, should include the following documents and information (in English or French):

• A nomination letter addressed to the UNESCO Director-General, by the government of the Member State, National Commissions for UNESCO, or a NGO in official partnerships with UNESCO;
• A description of the candidate’s background and achievements;
• A summary of the actions and/or the results of the work on the popularization of science, publications, and other supporting documents of major importance, submitted for consideration;
• A review of the way in which the actions and work submitted has contributed to the Prize’s objective.

The laureate is selected by the Director-General of UNESCO upon the recommendation of an international Jury composed of five members.