image: Regarded as the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics," the Fields Medal is presented once every four years to as many as four people under the age of 40. view more
Credit: Stefan Zachow, Konrad-Zuse-Zentrum für Informationstechnik Berlin
On August 19 in Hyderabad, India, the International Congress of the International Mathematical Union awarded the prestigious Fields Medal to four mathematicians. Regarded as the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics", the Fields Medal is presented once every four years to as many as four people under the age of 40. The purpose of the prize is to recognize and reward young mathematical researchers who have made major contributions to the field.
Two of the awardees, Elon Lindenstrauss of Princeton University and Ngô Bảo Châu at the Institute for Advanced Study, are currently supported by research grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). A third recipient, Stanislav Smirnov, received trainee support from NSF for graduate studies and post-doctoral work while in the United States. More information, and a complete list of this year's awardees is available in the press release from the Institute for Advanced Study.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2010, its budget is about $6.9 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.