Yuri Milner’s Breakthrough Prize arrived in Hollywood for the first time in April 2023. Dubbed the “Oscars of Science,” the high-profile ceremony brought together celebrities and scientists to celebrate the world’s top scientific innovators. Emmy Award winner James Corden hosted the event alongside famous presenters, including Brie Larson, Chloé Zhao, and Gal Gadot.
Philanthropist Yuri Milner co-founded the Breakthrough Prize to honour the achievements of the world’s leading scientists. The Giving Pledge signatory also co-founded the Breakthrough Initiatives and Tech For Refugees. Meanwhile, Yuri Milner’s book, Eureka Manifesto, argues for a shared mission for humanity.
Hollywood Hosts the “Oscars of Science”
The 2023 Breakthrough Prize ceremony lived up to its nickname: the “Oscars of Science.” Stars of the stage and screen gathered amidst the glamour of a gala awards show at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Grammy Award winner John Legend performed at the event, with singer-songwriter Chris Isaak providing music at the official after-party.
The all-star line-up of presenters included Magnus Carlsen, Danny DeVito, Robert Downey Jr., Mae Jemison, Edward Norton, and Lauren Ridloff. Other notable celebrities in attendance included Maria Sharapova, Mila Kunis, Lionel Richie, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Christina Aguilera, and Vin Diesel.
This year was the ninth Breakthrough Prize ceremony and the first staged since 2019, given the Covid-19 pandemic. It was also the first time Hollywood has hosted the event, which previously took place in San Francisco. The 2023 event welcomed a representative group of Breakthrough Prize winners from previous years.
Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare produced the ceremony, and Don Mischer Productions directed. The internationally acclaimed production company has also worked on the Emmy Awards and both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games.
The Breakthrough Prize
The Breakthrough Prize awards approximately $15 million annually in prizes, recognising the achievements of leading scientists and researchers. Each prize is $3 million, awarded for success in the fields of Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics.
The awards also honour researchers who are earlier in their careers. The Breakthrough Prize awards:
- Up to three New Horizons in Physics Prizes ($100,000).
- Up to three New Horizons in Mathematics Prizes ($100,000).
- Up to three Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prizes ($50,000).
The Breakthrough Prize Foundation
Giving Pledge signatory Yuri Milner co-founded the Breakthrough Prize Foundation to celebrate scientific achievement, advance knowledge, and improve people’s lives. The Foundation funds the Breakthrough Prize.
Julia and Yuri Milner set up the organisation as part of their Giving Pledge commitment to charitable scientific causes. Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates founded the Giving Pledge in 2010.
The Breakthrough Initiatives
The Breakthrough Initiatives make up just one of the Milners’ Breakthrough Prize Foundation enterprises.
In 2015, Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking announced the first Breakthrough Initiative: Breakthrough Listen. This programme investigates whether humans are alone in the Universe by using powerful telescopes to search for intelligent life.
Subsequent astronomical Breakthrough Initiatives include:
- Watch, which identifies Earth-sized planets within 20 light years of Earth that may be able to support life.
- Starshot, an engineering programme that is developing technology to reach our nearest star system, Alpha Centauri.
- Message, which promotes discussion about how we might communicate with extraterrestrial beings.
- Discuss, an annual academic conference that focuses on unique space exploration ideas.
Tech For Refugees
The Breakthrough Prize Foundation funds humanitarian efforts through Tech For Refugees. The non-profit initiative provides key information, resources, and services to refugees by partnering with leading technology organisations.
Tech For Refugees’ partners include Welcome.US, Spotify, Airbnb.org, Flexport.org, and The International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Yuri Milner’s Eureka Manifesto
In 2021, Yuri Milner published Eureka Manifesto, a short book exploring the future of humanity and our need for a shared mission. Eureka Manifesto is available to download or read online for free.
Learn more about Yuri Milner.
