Joint Prizes

George David Birkhoff Prize

Established in 1967, the prize honors George David Birkhoff (1884-1944), who served as the American Mathematical Society (AMS) President during 1925-1926. The prize is awarded every three years by SIAM and AMS for an outstanding contribution to applied mathematics. Nominations can be submitted via the AMS website.

Prize Description

The George David Birkhoff Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to applied mathematics in the highest and broadest sense. The prize is administered by AMS and awarded jointly by SIAM and AMS.

Eligibility Criteria

A candidate must be a member of AMS or SIAM.

Required Materials

Nominator’s letter of recommendation for candidate
CV of the candidate
Proposed citation (up to 50 words)

Winner Announcement

Congratulations go to Gunther Uhlmann of University of Washington, the 2021 winner!

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Prize Details

Read the full prize specifications.

Nomination Deadline Calendar

See all prizes with open calls for nominations.

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Selection Committee

About the Award

About the George David Birkhoff Prize

The George David Birkhoff Prize includes a $5,000 monetary award and a certificate containing the citation.

Award Date

The George David Birkhoff Prize will next be awarded in January 2024 at the Joint Mathematics Meetings.

Award Presentation

The award is presented at the Prize Session and Reception during the Joint Mathematics Meetings. The announcement of the award will appear in SIAM News, the SIAM website, and appropriate electronic media.

Award Fund

The initial funds for the prize were donated by the Birkhoff family. The funds are held and managed by the AMS.

Prize History

2021 Gunther Uhlmann

Selection Committee

Irene Gamba (Chair)
Douglas Arnold
Aaron Fogelson

2018 Bernd Sturmfels

Selection Committee

Michael C. Reed (Chair)
Andrea Bertozzi
Kenneth Golden

2015 Emmanuel Candes

Selection Committee

Russel Caflisch
Bjorn E. Enquist
Avi Wigderson

2012 Bjorn Engquist

Selection Committee

James Sethian (Chair)
Andrew J. Majda
Michael S. Waterman

2009 Joel Smoller

Selection Committee

Peter W. Jones (Chair)
George C. Papanicolaou
Terence C. Tao

2006 Cathleen S. Morawetz

Selection Committee

Gunther Uhlmann (Chair)
Barbara L. Keyfitz
Charles S. Peskin

2003 John Mather and Charles Peskin

Selection Committee

Donald G. Saari (Chair)
Douglas N. Arnold
Paul H. Rabinowitz

1998 Paul H. Rabinowitz

Selection Committee

Ivo M. Babuska
Jurgen Moser
Srinivasa Varadhan

Earlier Years

1994 Ivo Babuska and S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan
1988 Elliot Lieb
1983 Paul R. Garabedian
1978 Garrett Birkhoff, Mark Kac, and Clifford A. Truesdell
1973 Fritz John and James Serrin
1968 Jurgen Moser

Featured News and Announcements

Joint Prizes

George David Birkhoff Prize

Prize Description

Prize Description

Eligibility Criteria

Required Materials

Winner Announcement

Prize Details

Prize Details

Nomination Deadline Calendar

Selection Committee

About the Award

About the George David Birkhoff Prize

Award Date

Award Presentation

Award Fund

Prize History

Prize History

2021 Gunther Uhlmann

Selection Committee

2018 Bernd Sturmfels

Selection Committee

2015 Emmanuel Candes

Selection Committee

2012 Bjorn Engquist

Selection Committee

2009 Joel Smoller

Selection Committee

2006 Cathleen S. Morawetz

Selection Committee

2003 John Mather and Charles Peskin

Selection Committee

1998 Paul H. Rabinowitz

Selection Committee

Earlier Years

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