# The SAIR Prize

> The first major prize dedicated to AI achievements in physics and astronomy.

Awarded annually by the Foundation for Science and AI Research, it recognizes early-career scientists in academia, industry, or government whose use of artificial intelligence has verifiably advanced physics or astronomy.

This is a Markdown version of [the SAIR Prize page](/prize) for text-only readers and AI agents.

## The prize

The prize carries $100,000 each year, shared by up to three recipients.

Winners are chosen by an independent selection committee of leading physicists, astronomers, and AI scientists, and announced each spring.

The prize is established by SAIR and presented publicly by Barry Barish, Nobel laureate in Physics.

**Barry Barish** — Nobel laureate in Physics, Co-Founder of SAIR Foundation. Architect of the prize.

## Who is eligible

1. **Early-career scientists** — under 40, as a guideline.
2. **Working in the United States** — in academia, industry, or government.
3. **For AI-driven work** — that has already verifiably advanced physics or astronomy. The prize recognizes completed achievement; it does not fund proposals.

## How to nominate

A complete candidacy, as proposed, comprises:

- **A nomination form.**
- **An achievement statement** of at most 1,000 words stating the contribution, its verifiable result, and the candidate’s specific individual role, with a named independent confirmer.
- **One to five verifiable artifacts:** publications, public code or models, named experiments.
- **A two-page CV and a two-page publication list.**
- **Two support letters** submitted directly by their writers, at least one independent of the candidate.
- **Signed accuracy declarations.**

Recipients are announced in April 2027. The award is presented at a ceremony in May.

## Questions candidates ask

### Can I nominate myself?

Yes. Candidates may put their own work forward.

### Is industry work eligible if it is proprietary?

Yes. Where public artifacts cannot exist, the proposed alternative is an employer attestation of the candidate’s specific contribution.

### Can I be nominated more than once?

A candidate has up to three chances in total. A non-winning candidacy may be updated and recertified in later cycles.

### Who selects?

An independent selection committee holds sole authority; its decision is final. Barry Barish oversees the program and does not select.

## The selection committee

The SAIR Prize is judged by an independent selection committee of physicists, astronomers, and leaders from AI industry, appointed for their judgment in the field.

- **Kyle Cranmer** — Professor of Physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Inaugural laureate, Pritzker Prize for AI in Science
- **Andrew Connolly** — Gerberding University Professor of Astronomy, University of Washington

More members to be announced