The Shaw Prize
The Shaw Prize is a Hong Kong-based international charitable foundation established in 2004 that awards annual US$1.2 million prizes to distinguished scientists in Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, Mathematical Sciences, and from 2027, Computer Science.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Shaw Prize does
The Shaw Prize is an international charitable foundation established in 2004, headquartered in Hong Kong, that awards annual prizes to scientists who have achieved outstanding breakthroughs in three core scientific domains: Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences. Each category carries a monetary award of US$1.2 million, and the prize has been awarded annually for 23 consecutive years as of 2026. The foundation does not develop technology products; its core operation is a rigorous selection process overseen by world-leading experts, culminating in annual laureate announcements and prize ceremonies.
In January 2026, the foundation announced its first major expansion in over two decades with the establishment of a new Shaw Prize in Computer Science, bringing the total to four award categories. The Computer Science prize will operate in parallel with existing awards, maintaining the same governance structure and US$1.2 million prize amount. Nominations for the inaugural Computer Science prize will open September to November 2026, with laureates announced in spring 2027. The foundation reached its audience through PR Newswire press releases and its official website, shawprize.org.
The Shaw Prize operates as a private charitable foundation with no disclosed parent company, external investors, or shareholders. Its organization is lean, with 1-10 employees managing the annual selection process, ceremonies, and outreach programs. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, as the foundation is funded by private philanthropy and endowment rather than commercial revenue streams. Its primary beneficiary segment is distinguished scientists and researchers worldwide who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
The Shaw Prize firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Shaw Prize
- Legal name
- The Shaw Prize Foundation
- Website
- https://shawprize.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Shaw Prize is a Hong Kong-based international charitable foundation established in 2004 that awards annual US$1.2 million prizes to distinguished scientists in Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, Mathematical Sciences, and from 2027, Computer Science.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Shaw Prize industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific Awards and Prizes
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Research Grants, Fellowships & Stipends (International) (EDAIAOAJ), Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)
Keywords
Where The Shaw Prize is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hong Kong
- HQ country
- Hong Kong SAR China
- HQ region
- Asia
Markets served
The Shaw Prize business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Individual Category Award |
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
The Shaw Prize product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Shaw Prize awards annual international scientific prizes in three categories—Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences—with each laureate receiving a fixed monetary award of US$1.2 million. In January 2026, the foundation announced its first major expansion in over two decades with the establishment of The Shaw Prize in Computer Science (first laureates to be announced in spring 2027), bringing the total to four award categories. Selection is overseen by world-leading expert committees and nominations open September to November each year.
Product overview
The Shaw Prize is a foundation that awards annual international prizes to scientists across three scientific categories: Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences. Each category carries a monetary award of US$1.2 million. In 2026, the foundation announced its first major expansion in over two decades with the establishment of a new Shaw Prize in Computer Science, bringing the total to four award categories. All prizes maintain the same governance structure, with nominations opening September to November and laureates announced annually in spring.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shaw Prize in Astronomy Annual international prize awarded to one or more outstanding astronomers for achievements in astronomical research; carries a monetary award of US$1.2 million and is intended for world-renowned individual scientists.
- Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine Annual international prize awarded to one or more outstanding scientists for achievements in life science and medicine; carries a monetary award of US$1.2 million and is intended for world-renowned individual scientists.
- Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences Annual international prize awarded to one or more outstanding mathematicians for achievements in mathematical sciences; carries a monetary award of US$1.2 million and is intended for world-renowned individual scientists.
- Shaw Prize in Computer Science A new international prize category announced on 28 January 2026 for outstanding achievements in computer science, operating alongside existing awards with the same governance structure and a monetary award of US$1.2 million; first laureates to be announced in spring 2027.
Companies that use The Shaw Prize
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Shaw Prize technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Shaw Prize partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
The Shaw Prize competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wolf Prize: Awarded by the Wolf Foundation in Israel, the Wolf Prize is given in multiple scientific disciplines including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Agriculture, making it a comparable international scientific award to the Shaw Prize across overlapping categories.
- Breakthrough Prize: The Breakthrough Prize awards multi-million dollar prizes in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics, and is comparable to The Shaw Prize in its international scope, monetary award scale, and mission to recognize outstanding scientific achievement.
- The Nobel Prize: The Nobel Prize is the world's most recognized international scientific award, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology/Medicine — directly comparable to Shaw Prize's Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences categories in mission, prestige, and laureate selection.
- Japan Prize: The Japan Prize is an annual international award recognizing scientists in fields that promote the advancement of science and technology, overlapping with Shaw Prize categories and serving a comparable mission of recognizing elite scientific achievement.
- Fields Medal: The Fields Medal recognizes outstanding mathematical achievement every four years and is a direct peer to the Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences, competing for visibility and recognition of top mathematicians.
- King Faisal Prize: The King Faisal International Prize recognizes outstanding work in Islam, Arabic Studies, Science, and Medicine, making it a comparable international scientific award with a similar prestige tier and monetary award scale.
- Balzan Prize: The Balzan Prize is awarded annually in rotating categories of science and humanities, with a comparable monetary award scale and international selection process to the Shaw Prize.
- Crafoord Prize: Awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Crafoord Prize covers disciplines not covered by the Nobel Prize (including mathematics and astronomy), directly comparable to Shaw Prize's coverage of Astronomy and Mathematical Sciences.
- Kavli Prize: The Kavli Prize recognizes breakthroughs in Astrophysics, Nanoscience, and Neuroscience and is comparable to the Shaw Prize in its biennial international format, monetary award scale, and focus on recognizing transformative scientific contributions.
- Turing Award (ACM): The ACM A.M. Turing Award is the premier prize in computer science and becomes a direct peer to the new Shaw Prize in Computer Science (2027), sharing the same elite laureate pool of computer scientists and world-leading selection committees.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
The Shaw Prize social profiles
Digital presenceThe Shaw Prize financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Shaw Prize leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Shaw Prize funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Shaw Prize M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Shaw Prize
What does The Shaw Prize do?
The Shaw Prize awards annual international scientific prizes in three categories—Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences—with each laureate receiving a fixed monetary award of US$1.2 million. In January 2026, the foundation announced its first major expansion in over two decades with the establishment of The Shaw Prize in Computer Science (first laureates to be announced in spring 2027), bringing the total to four award categories. Selection is overseen by world-leading expert committees and nominations open September to November each year.
Is The Shaw Prize a public or private company?
The Shaw Prize is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Shaw Prize founded?
The Shaw Prize was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Shaw Prize based?
The Shaw Prize is headquartered in Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China, in the Asia region.
Who are The Shaw Prize's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wolf Prize, Breakthrough Prize, The Nobel Prize, Japan Prize, Fields Medal, King Faisal Prize, Balzan Prize, Crafoord Prize, Kavli Prize and Turing Award (ACM).
Does The Shaw Prize have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Shaw Prize.
What industry is The Shaw Prize in?
The Shaw Prize's product category is Scientific Awards and Prizes. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAI, Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of EDADAHAC, Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts. Its NAICS code is 813211.