The Pro Academia Prize
is bestowed on one or se­ve­ral academic groups that serve as an example in creating "nur­ser­ies" of scien­ti­fic emi­nence.

It is conferred every other year, the next Prize will be awarded in late summer 2021.

© TRTF | Pro Academia Prize 2020.
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The Prize

n today's competitive, hectic, often erratic, short-lived, and money-oriented science and research, places of quiet discussion free from strife are rare, and, though ge­neral­ly preached, broad-based inter­dis­ci­pli­nary exchange usually remains minor-league.

Single outstanding scientists have become a rarity. They still exist; however, in most cases research and academia require teams, organized as a network of groups with a common interest. Leading in­di­vi­duals, with a clear research ori­en­ta­tion, forge successful groups and networks with accomplished and com­pe­tent researchers.

The Pro Academia Prize is bestowed on one or se­ve­ral academic groups that serve as an example. Their mem­bers must have worked together and succeeded in reach­ing their goals over a period of at least eight years and thus created "nur­ser­ies" of scien­ti­fic emi­nence. The Prize was established by The Round Table Foundation. It was awarded for the first time in 2013.

The Prize is also meant as an incen­tive, a mo­ti­va­tion for young scientists to pursue new avenues of research and teaching. The Round Table Foundation wants them to go on and follow an honest and ethical academic way.

The Prize itself is a crystal owl, symbo­liz­ing Athe­na, the goddess of crafts and skilled peacetime pur­suits. She personifies wisdom and right­eous­ness. Thus, the Prize stands for scien­ti­fic and academic per­se­ve­rance, knowledge, and exchange. The Prize lauds these virtues and successes.

The crystal owl as re­pre­sen­tation of the Prize given to the leader of the network, cer­ti­fi­cates for all group mem­bers and – when­ever possible – small olive trees will be the sole gifts.

The Executive Board of the Prize is formed by the Pre­si­dent and the Coun­cil Members of TRTF, at present Peter A. Rinck, Robert N. Muller, Patricia de Fran­cis­co, and Hans G. Rin­gertz. Members of Ad­vi­sory Com­mit­tee are Luis Martí-Bon­matí, Regine C. Schulz, and Edu­a­rdo Po­sa­da Flórez. The Board may call in per­so­na­li­ties in aca­demia as expert consultants.

Can­di­dates can be nomi­nated by the mem­bers of the Board or the Ad­vi­sory Com­mit­tee. Direct appli­ca­tions are not accepted.

Pro Academia Prize 2021
The laureate(s) for 2021 will be an­nounced in late summer 2021.