Lagrange Prize in Continuous Optimization

The Lagrange Prize in Continuous Optimization is awarded every three years by the Mathematical Optimization Society (MOS) and SIAM for an outstanding contribution in the area of continuous optimization published in the six calendar years preceding the award year.

Prize Description

The Lagrange Prize in Continuous Optimization is awarded every three years for an outstanding contribution in the area of continuous optimization published in the six calendar years prior to the award year. The MOS administers the prize and it is awarded jointly by MOS and SIAM.

The award is based primarily on the work's mathematical quality, significance, and originality. Clarity and excellence of the exposition and the value of the work in practical applications may be considered as secondary attributes. The extended period of six years reflects the fact that the value of fundamental work cannot always be immediately assessed.

Read the full prize specifications.

Eligibility Criteria

The work must have been published as the final publication of the main result(s) within the six calendar years preceding the award year. The work should be published as an article in a peer-reviewed journal, or other peer-reviewed publication, intended to publish final papers only; or as a monograph publishing original results.

For the 2027 award, the work must have been published between the dates of January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2027.

Required Materials

Nominator’s letter of recommendation for candidate publication
Bibliographic citation of the publication to be considered

About the Award

The Lagrange Prize for Continuous Optimization includes a $1,500 monetary award and a certificate containing the citation. The recipient will be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses incurred in attending the award ceremony.

Learn more about the past recipients and selection committees.

Award Date

The Lagrange Prize for Continuous Optimization will next be awarded in 2026.

Award Presentation

The award is presented alternately at the International Symposium on Mathematical Programming (ISMP) and the SIAM Annual Meeting. The Chair of MOS or the SIAM President will announce the award and present the certificate to the recipient. The announcement of the award will appear in SIAM News, the SIAM website, and appropriate electronic media.