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Apply now for the Algoritmi Prize

A new science prize for artificial intelligence and robotics researchers who make a positive impact on humanity.

The Algoritmi Prize will recognize and support Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics researchers whose technologies advance global challenges. In 2023, the prize focuses on the application of AI and robotics to address food security.

One winning team will receive a prize of USD 1 million.

The Algoritmi Prize is a new science prize from the FII Institute that will recognize and support groups of academic researchers who are developing AI and robotics technology to address global societal challenges.

The prize is open to research groups globally through self-application. One winning group will receive a prize of USD 1 million to accelerate the development, impact and application of their technology.

The Algoritmi Prize will run annually. Each year, the Prize will focus on a specific challenge facing the world. In 2023, the prize invites applications from AI and robotics research teams working to promote a future of greater food security globally.

In 2023, the Algoritmi Prize focuses on the application of AI and robotics to address food security.

Application deadline
22 May 2023
Shortlist announced
4 September 2023
Winner announced
24–26 October 2023

Eligibility

The Algoritmi Prize invites applications from groups of academic researchers who work in AI or robotics. In 2023, applicants must be able to demonstrate the application — or potential future application — of their technology to address food security.

Applicants must be employed by the same university, research institution or public agency and can be based anywhere in the world (see Terms & Conditions). It is expected that academic research groups will collaborate with industry partners, however, applications from researchers employed by for-profit organizations are not eligible. Organizations from emerging STEM nations are strongly encouraged to apply.

The application need not be submitted by the research group leader, though the research group leader will need to sign-off the completed application.

Why Food Security?

According to the World Food Program, over 800 million people worldwide do not know where their next will meal will come from. 349 million people across 79 countries face acute food insecurity. This number increased by 200 million since 2021. 900,000 people globally are struggling to survive famine like conditions. The leading causes of hunger are conflict, climate crisis and global fertilizer prices. 

Based on the 1996 World Food Summit, food security is defined when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Technology has a critical role to play, for example by:

  • promoting urban agriculture
  • improving farmers’ resilience
  • promoting sustainable agriculture
  • reducing greenhouse gas emissions of food supply chains
  • tackling food waste
  • decreasing excessive fertilizers and nitrogen use

Evaluation Criteria & Process

Applications will be reviewed and assessed by a panel of independent experts on AI, robotics and food security. The panel will first review applications to create a shortlist. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their applications to the full panel via a virtual meeting. The panel will then meet to discuss the merits of shortlisted applicants and select the winner. Employees of the FII Institute will have no influence over decision making and will not be a part of the advisory panel. 

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1
Scientific track record of research team
2
Originality, innovativeness and robustness of technology and underpinning science
3
The impact or potential impact of the technology to increase food security

Applications from developing and emerging STEM nations are highly encouraged. Weighting points will be added to such submissions, based on the country of origin’s position in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Country Classification System. Fundamental excellence and impact remain the overriding consideration of the judges but the weighting points will be used to ensure that these are viewed in the context of the applicants’ access to opportunity and resources.

Judges

Details of the independent judging panel will be published soon.

Prize

One winning application will receive a grant of USD 1 million to accelerate the development and application of their technology to promote food security. Prize money should be allocated within three years of receipt. A brief report will be required after three years detailing how the funds were used.

One representative from each shortlisted application will be expected to participate in an in-person, expenses-paid symposium on AI and robotics for food security that will take place at the FII 7th edition in Riyadh, 24–26 October 2023.

How to Apply

All applications must take place via the online submission system. Application is free of charge. All applications must be in English.

The application need not be submitted by the research group leader, though the research group leader will need to sign-off the completed application.

Apply now.

Guidelines for applicants

By submitting an application you agree that: you have read and accepted the Terms & Conditions and your personal data will be used as part of, and to communicate with you about, the Algoritmi Prize. For more information view our Privacy Policy.

Partner

The FII Institute is partnering with Springer Nature to administer the Algoritmi Prize. Springer Nature is helping to build awareness of the prize and is providing support to the independent judging panel. Springer Nature employees have no influence on the evaluation of applications.

About Springer Nature
For over 180 years Springer Nature has been advancing discovery by providing the best possible service to the whole research community. Springer Nature helps researchers uncover new ideas, makes sure the research it publishes is significant, robust and stands up to objective scrutiny, that it reaches all relevant audiences in the best possible format, and can be discovered, accessed, used, re-used and shared. Springer Nature supports librarians and institutions with innovations in technology and data; and provides quality publishing support to societies.

As a research publisher, Springer Nature is home to trusted brands including Springer, Nature Portfolio, BMC, Palgrave Macmillan and Scientific American. For more information, please visit springernature.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the prize?

Q: What is the FII Institute and why have they launched the Algoritmi Prize?

FII Institute is a global nonprofit with a single pressing agenda, Impact on Humanity. We’ve chosen four critical areas to focus on where the inequalities are most glaring and where exciting collective solutions can be found. AI and robotics is one focus area.

The Algoritmi Prize will recognize and support AI and robotics researchers whose technologies address global societal challenges.

Learn more about the FII Institute.

Q: Who is eligible to apply?

The prize invites applications from groups of academic researchers employed by a single university, research institution or government agency working in the field of either artificial intelligence or robotics. In 2023, research groups will need to demonstrate the application of their technology to promote food security. Researchers working in the corporate sector are ineligible.

The application need not be submitted by the research group leader, though the research group leader will need to sign-off the completed application.

Q: What do you mean by food security?

Food security is defined when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

Q: When can I apply?

Applications can be submitted between 12.00am GMT on 30th of January 2023 and 11.59pm GMT on 8th of May 2023 via the online application form.

Q: When will I know if I have been shortlisted?

All shortlisted applicants will be contacted in August 2023.

Q: Will I receive updates on my application?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual feedback on applications.

Q: Do applicants need to be nominated?

No. Applicants need to submit their own applications.

However, you can recommend an applicant here. They will be sent an email once they have been recommended directing them to apply.

Q: Who will evaluate applications and select the winner?

An independent panel of experts, led by a panel chair, will evaluate applications and have sole decision making responsibility for selecting the shortlist and the winner. Neither the FII Institute nor Springer Nature will have any influence over the evaluation of applications.

Q: What is the value of the prize?

One winning application will receive an unrestricted grant of US$1,000,000 to accelerate the development and application of the technology to promote food security.

One representative from each shortlisted application will be expected to participate in person in an expenses paid symposium on AI and robotics for food security that will take place at the FII 7th edition in Riyadh, 24–26 October 2023.

Q: Who is awarded the prize?

We accept applications from groups of researchers at a single institution. The winner is not the lead applicant but the group as a whole. It is expected that the group will nominate an individual to represent the group at the prize ceremony and to perform media duties.

Q: Are there conditions on how the prize money must be used and over what time frame?

The funds must be used in line with the spirit and goals of the prize to develop technologies to promote food security. Prize money must be spent within three years of receipt.

Applicants will describe how they will allocate prize money as part of the application process. A brief report will be required after three years detailing how the funds were used. You may also be required to give a short presentation to representatives of the sponsor.

Q: What is Springer Nature’s role in the Algoritmi Prize?

The FII Institute is partnering with Springer Nature to raise awareness of the prize amongst potential applicants, to convene an independent expert panel to evaluate the applications and to create a platform for shortlisted applicants to share their work and stories widely. Springer Nature employees will have no influence over the evaluation of applications.

Q: Who’s behind the name of the prize?

Persian mathematician Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī, or al-Khwarizmi, was one of the most influential thinkers of all time. He produced seminal works in mathematics, astronomy and geography.
He is known as the father of algebra and a Latinisation of his name as Algoritmi led to the term algorithm.