The SIAM Activity Group on Optimization Early Career Prize (SIAG/OPT Early Career Prize) is awarded every three years to an outstanding early career researcher in the field of optimization for distinguished contributions to the field in the six calendar years prior to the award year.

The award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding, influential, and potentially long-lasting contributions to the field of optimization within six years of receiving the Ph.D. or equivalent degree as of January 1 of the award year. The contribution(s) for which the award is given must be publicly available and may belong to any aspect of optimization in its broadest sense.

The contribution(s) for which the award is given may include paper(s) published in English in peer-reviewed journal(s) or conference proceedings, or high quality freely available open source software. The committee expects evidence of independent contribution by the candidate.

The committee may consider exceptions to the six-year rule, for career interruptions or delays occurring, e.g., for child bearing, child rearing, or elder care. The award can be received only once in a lifetime.

For the 2026 award, the candidate must have been awarded their Ph.D. no earlier than January 1, 2020 and no later than the nomination deadline.

About the SIAM Activity Group on Optimization Early Career Prize