Barcelona presents Hypatia European Science Prize

The deputy mayor of Barcelona Gerardo Pisarello presented the first edition of the Hypatia European Science Prize in the Catalan capital. Through the prize, the city's council will grant 30,000 euros each year to a scientific project.

According to Pisarello, the award has the objective of making Barcelona a "reference" in the European science world, as well as making the public "feel proud" of the scientific progress taking place in the city. The prize demonstrates Barcelona's "commitment" to science, he said.

He also highlighted that the prize "remembers the important contribution made by women toward scientific progress" at the presentation on Tuesday.

Hypatia

The name of the prize itself, Hypatia, is a nod to Hypatia of Alexandria who was an achieved philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer who was born around the year 350AD.

Applications for the award are open until October 31. The award ceremony will take place on November 27 with the backdrop of the 30^th edition of the Annual Congress of Academia Europaea, happening in Barcelona from November 28 to 29.

The Hypatia European Science Prize project involves 14 European countries funded by the European Commission's Horizon 2020.

"Outstanding"

According to the Academia Europaea-Barcelona Knowledge Hub (AEBKH) website, the prize "recognises an outstanding researcher who has achieved a career of excellence at the highest international level in Europe and has made a significant contribution toward different fields of knowledge, as well as a positive impact on society."

An international jury will select the prize winner during the first two weeks of November. "The Jury will consist of five members: two designated by Academia Europaea, two by the Barcelona City Council, and one, who will serve as president of the Jury, appointed jointly by Academia Europaea and by the Barcelona City Council. At least two members of the Jury will be women," says AEBKH online.