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Foresight Institute Prizes
datasetforesight.org·foresight.org/prizes/feynman-prizes/
This page describes the Foresight Institute's Feynman Prizes for nanotechnology, which are tangentially relevant to AI safety through the institute's broader focus on existential risk and emerging technologies, but primarily concerns nanotechnology research recognition.
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Summary
The Feynman Prizes are annual awards given by the Foresight Institute recognizing exceptional contributions to nanotechnology in Theory and Experiment categories ($5,000 each), plus a student award ($1,000). A $250,000 Grand Prize remains unclaimed for the first team to demonstrate a functional nano-scale robotic arm and computing device.
Key Points
- •Named after Richard Feynman's 1959 lecture 'There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom', prizes recognize advances in molecular manufacturing and atomically-precise construction.
- •Previous winners include two Nobel Laureates: David Baker (Chemistry 2024) and Sir Fraser Stoddart (Chemistry 2016), suggesting the prizes identify important work early.
- •Four prize categories: Theory Prize ($5,000), Experiment Prize ($5,000), Distinguished Student Award ($1,000), and Grand Prize ($250,000) for nano-scale robotics/computing.
- •The Grand Prize requires designing, constructing, and demonstrating both a functional nano-scale robotic arm and a nano-scale computing device.
- •Founded by K. Eric Drexler, a pioneer of nanotechnology concepts; nominations for 2026 prizes are open until July 31, 2026.
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Feynman Prizes - Foresight Institute
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Neurotechnology
Longevity Biotechnology
Nanotechnology
Space
Existential Hope
Engage
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Fellowship
Seminar Groups
Resources
Recordings
Podcasts
Reports
Book: Gaming the Future
About
Donate
Engage / Prizes / Feynman Prizes
Prize
Nanotechnology
Feynman Prizes
Deadline
31 July 2026
Nominate for the 2026 prizes
Recognizing exceptional contributions to nanotechnology
Richard Feynman’s 1959 lecture, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom“ , is widely credited as inspiring the field of nanotechnology. Named in honor of the renowned physicist, the Feynman Prizes celebrate his groundbreaking vision for science, by recognizing exceptional contributions that advance nanotechnology.
Prizes for future Nobel Laureates
The Feynman Prizes have a track record of recognizing important work early. Previous winners include two Nobel Laureates – David Baker who won the Feynman Prize in 2004 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 , and Sir Fraser Stoddart who won the 2007 Feynman Prize, and the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry .
We award the Feynman Prizes in two categories annually – Theory and Experiment. There is also the $250,000 Grand Prize, yet to be claimed, for the first team who designs, constructs, and demonstrates a functional nano-scale robotic arm, and a functional nano-scale computing device.
In addition, the Foresight Institute Distinguished Student Award recognizes the most notable work from a college graduate or undergraduate student each year.
Categories
Feynman Theory Prize ($5,000)
Awarded annually for excellence in theory to the researchers whose recent work has most advanced the achievement of Feynman’s goal for nanotechnology: molecular manufacturing, defined as the construction of atomically-precise products through the use of molecular machine systems.
Feynman Experiment Prize ($5,000)
Awarded annually for excellence in experimentation to the researchers whose recent work has most advanced the achievement of Feynman’s goal for nanotechnology
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