Infosys Science Foundation lowers upper age limit for prize to 40 years

Infosys Science Foundation awards are given annually to honour excellence in six fields, including of economics and engineering & computer science.

The Infosys Science Foundation has lowered from 50 to 40 years the upper age limit for the Infosys Prize winners "to reward potential and recognise the promise of future achievement", the not-for-profit trust said on May 15.

“The fundamental objective of the Infosys Prize continues to be to recognise the best research that benefits humanity and creates role models for young scholars and aspiring scientists in India,” the release said.

Infosys Prize is given annually to honour outstanding achievements of contemporary researchers and scientists in six categories — economics, engineering & computer science, humanities & social sciences, life sciences, mathematical sciences and physical sciences.

Each prize carries a gold medal, a citation, and a purse of $100,000 (around Rs 83 lakh). The award intends to celebrate excellence in research and inspire the younger generation of scholars to take up science and research as a career.

The foundation said it requires all winners based outside India at the time of winning the prize to spend time at Indian institutes of their choice, going forward.

Winners who are not based in India will be requested to spend 30 days (in a maximum of two trips) at a host institute in India, to build networks and spark conversations with research groups.

The Science Foundation hopes that these early collaborations would transform into mutually beneficial long-term partnerships.

The foundation has recognized and awarded 92 people across disciplines since its inception 15 years ago.

The change in the direction of the Infosys Prize stems from the vision to create a generation of young academicians who are passionate about pursuing a career in scientific research and provide a longer runway for individuals to develop their work that would have the potential to benefit society at large, Infosys Science Foundation president Kris Gopalakrishnan said.

“We believe that this redirection will help serve as a catalyst for future innovation and mobilize young individuals towards shaping a better tomorrow,” Gopalakrishnan was quoted as saying in the release.