Fields Medal

An international award recognizing outstanding mathematical achievement by mathematicians under 40. It is presented every four years at the International Congress of Mathematicians.

John Charles Fields: A Canadian mathematician who proposed an international mathematics prize and arranged its initial funding. His bequest established the award and shaped its international purpose.
Fields Medal selection process: The confidential nomination and committee process used to choose Fields Medal recipients. It explains how mathematical achievement becomes an award decision.
Maryam Mirzakhani: An Iranian mathematician who received the 2014 Fields Medal for work in geometry and dynamical systems. She became the first woman to receive the medal.
Abel Prize: An international mathematics prize awarded annually for outstanding scientific work, without an age limit. It recognizes lifetime achievement without the Fields Medal’s youth restriction.
Women in mathematics: The study and practice of mathematics by women, including their historical participation and representation. Mirzakhani’s award brought renewed attention to women’s representation among medalists.
International Congress of Mathematicians: A major international mathematics meeting held every four years under the auspices of the International Mathematical Union. The medals are presented at this congress.
Fields Medal age limit: The rule that recipients must be under 40 on January 1 of the year the medal is awarded. The age rule is the medal’s most distinctive eligibility condition.
Terence Tao: An Australian-American mathematician who received the 2006 Fields Medal for contributions across several areas of mathematics. His wide-ranging work exemplifies the medal’s recognition of deep mathematical contributions.
Wolf Prize in Mathematics: An international prize recognizing achievements in mathematics, awarded by the Wolf Foundation. Its eligibility is not tied to the Fields Medal’s under-40 rule.
Mathematical prestige: The social recognition and professional standing associated with mathematical achievement and institutions. The medal is a major source of public and professional recognition for mathematicians.

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