With the aim to promote the science of cosmology and other branches of astronomy, the Peter Gruber Foundation (PGF) has created the Cosmology Prize.

The IAU Executive Committee recognizes this contribution to our science and shares the desire of the PGF to give these distinctions the highest possible scientific standing and international character. Accordingly, at its 73rd meeting in Manchester, UK, in August 2000, the IAU Executive Committee decided to collaborate with the PGF in the nomination of candidates and the selection of recipients, effective as of January 1, 2001.

The procedures applying to the Prize is as follows:

The Cosmology Prize of the Peter Gruber Foundation is awarded annually to scientists of any nationality working in the fields of astronomy, physics, mathematics, and philosophy of science for scientific advances in our understanding of the Universe and how we perceive it. The prize recipients are selected by an International Advisory Board of seven members nominated by the IAU and the other international scientific unions in fields relevant to cosmology. The Prize consists of a medal and a cash prize of USD 200,000 shared by the co-recipients.

For the year 2005, the prize has been awarded to James Gunn. The list of past awardees can be found here.

For information on the required procedures and for the nomination forms to be used, please refer to the web page of the Peter Gruber Foundation.