Press release 2008-01-15

The Crafoord Prize 2008: Mathematics and Astronomy

On Thursday morning 17 January, at 08.00 am (Swedish time, GMT +1 hour) the Crafoord Prize for 2008 will be announced. This year’s disciplines are Matematics and Astronomy. A press release and a popular science article will be sent out and scientific experts are available on telephone.

Hopefully, the laureates will also be available for interviews. These telephone numbers are given by the Press Officer at the Academy, see below.

THE CRAFOORD PRIZE
The Crafoord Prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences annually. The prize amount of USD 500,000 makes the Crafoord Prize one of the world´s largest scientific prizes.
Anna-Greta and Holger Crafoord´s Fund was established in 1980 and the first prize was awarded in 1982. The prize is intended to promote international basic research in the disciplines

• Astronomy and Mathematics,
• Geosciences,
• Biosciences (with particular emphasis on ecology) and
• Polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis).

The prize in polyarthritis is awarded only when scientific progress in this field has been such that an award is justified. These disciplines are chosen so as to complement those for which the Nobel Prizes are awarded.

The prize amount: USD 500,000

Contact person: Erik Huss, Press Officer, phone +46-8-673 95 44, +46-70-673 96 50, erik.huss@kva.se

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, founded in 1739, is an independent organisation whose overall objective is to promote the sciences and strengthen their influence in society. Traditionally, the Academy takes special responsibility for the natural sciences and mathematics.