Balzan Prize
Since 1961, the Balzan Prize has been awarded to researchers and scholars who have distinguished themselves in their fields. Every two years the awards ceremony takes place in Switzerland’s Federal Palace in Bern. In the run-up to each ceremony in Bern, the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences hosts a forum with that year’s Prizewinners.
The International Balzan Foundation “Prize”
Since 1961, the Balzan Prize has been awarded to researchers and scholars who have distinguished themselves in their fields. Each year, a maximum of four prizes are awarded in two categories: in literature, moral sciences, and the arts and in physical, mathematical, and natural sciences and medicine. In addition, the special Balzan Prize for Humanity, Peace, and Fraternity among Peoples is awarded at intervals of no less than three years. A distinguishing feature of the Balzan Prize is its variation of subject areas from year to year, which allows for the recognition of new and less prominent branches of research.
Each subject Prize includes an award of CHF 750,000 making the Balzan Prize one of the most highly compensated academic prizes in the world. To better promote the next generation of academics, rules governing the Balzan Prize were modified in 2001 to stipulate that half of all prize money awarded in each winning subject area must be dedicated to projects involving young researchers.
The International Balzan Prize Foundation’s ties to Switzerland
The International Balzan Foundation was established in 1956 according to the wishes of Angela Lina Balzan, the daughter of Eugenio Francesco Balzan. Eugenio Balzan was the managing director and a partner of the Corriere publishing house in Milan; he was also actively involved in Milan’s business and cultural milieus. Balzan’s opposition to Italy’s fascist regime led him to leave the country in 1933 and move to Switzerland, where he remained until his death in 1953. Since then, his assets have been managed by the Balzan Foundation’s Swiss headquarters in Zurich. The foundation’s Italian headquarters in Milan administers the Balzan Prize proceedings. The foundation’s ties to Switzerland are also evident in the composition of its board and the Balzan Prize’s awards ceremony. Switzerland’s Federal Department of Home Affairs appoints one of the foundation’s board members, and every two years the awards ceremony takes place in Switzerland’s Federal Palace in Bern.
The Balzan Prizewinners Interdisciplinary Forum
In the run-up to each ceremony in Bern, the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences hosts a forum with that year’s Prizewinners. At these forums, Prizewinners present their award-winning work and engage in discussions with the audience. These events and the refreshments provided at them are free of charge, and they represent a rare opportunity for those interested in the Prize’s subject areas to interact directly with renowned researchers.