Prize Specifications

Principal Guidelines

The Ralph E. Kleinman prize is awarded to one individual for outstanding research, or other contributions, that bridge the gap between mathematics and applications. Work that uses high-level mathematics and/or invents new mathematical tools to solve applied problems from engineering, science, and technology is particularly appropriate. The value of the work will be measured by the quality of the mathematics and its impact on the application. Each prize may be given either for a single notable achievement or for a collection of such achievements.

Prize Committee

The prize committee will consist of five distinguished members selected from the applied mathematics community. The SIAM President will appoint new committee members after consultation with the existing committee and the SIAM Vice President-at-Large.

Tenure

Committee members will serve two-year terms, half of those appointments renewable each two years (two retire after the first year of award and are replaced, three after the next award, and continuing in this cycle).

Rules of Operation

The Vice President will appoint one of the committee members as chair, who will coordinate the decision process and report the result back to the Vice President.

The prize committee will follow the ‘best practices’ set out in the SIAM document for Selection Committees. The prize committee will follow the SIAM rules for conflicts of interest as posted on the SIAM web site.

Selection Procedures

Eligibility

The prize may be awarded to any member of the scientific community who meets the general guideline of the award.

Nominations

Nominations are sought seven months prior to the awarding of the prize. Nominations will be solicited in SIAM publications and various relevant electronic newsletters.

Recommendation of the Prize Committee

The prize committee will notify the president of its recommendation at least ten months before the award date. The committee’s report must include a written justification and a citation of about 100 words that may be read at the time of the award.

The president will report the committee’s recommendation to the Executive Committee of the SIAM Council, which will accept or reject the committee’s choice not later than eight months before the award date.

If the prize committee’s recommendation is accepted by the Executive Committee of the SIAM Council, the award presentation will be made as described below. If the initial recommendation is not accepted, the prize committee may present a second recommendation, in sufficient time for the Executive Committee of the SIAM Council to make a decision at least seven months before the award date.

The Selection Committee has the authority to choose to abstain from giving the award if there is no acceptable individual. If the award is not given for this reason, a new selection committee will be selected for the next award cycle.[1]

Description of the Award

The prize will consist of a certificate, a cash award of approximately $5000 (with adjustments depending on the income of the prize fund) plus travel expenses to the SIAM meeting. The prize will be administered by SIAM and awarded every two years at the SIAM Annual Meeting.

Prize Fund Record

Initial funds for this prize were contributed by family and friends of Ralph Kleinman.

[1] An award decision will also be postponed to the next cycle if the number of nominations does not meet the required number to forward to the selection committee. See SIAM Prize Policy for more information.