Samsung is significantly increasing the prize money for the Samsung Ho-Am Prize to enhance support for scientific talent. Starting next year, the prize money for each category will rise from 300 million won to 500 million won, and the total prize pool will expand from 1.8 billion won to 3 billion won.
The Ho-Am Foundation announced on August 5 that beginning with the 37th Samsung Ho-Am Prize in 2027, winners in six categories—Physics & Mathematics, Chemistry & Life Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Arts, and Social Service—will each receive 500 million won.
The prize money for each category will increase by 200 million won, marking a 66.7% overall increase. This adjustment coincides with the 40th anniversary of the passing of Samsung's founder, Lee Byung-chul.
This is the first increase in prize money since 2010, when it was raised from 200 million won to 300 million won. The Ho-Am Prize was initially set at 100 million won in 1997, increased to 200 million won in 2005, and has remained at 300 million won from 2010 until now.
The Samsung Ho-Am Prize was established in 1990 by the late Lee Kun-hee to honor the founding spirit of 'putting talent first' and 'social contribution' championed by Lee Byung-chul. Since its first awards ceremony in 1991, it has recognized 188 recipients, with a total prize amounting to 37.9 billion won.
Chairman Lee Jae-Yong of Samsung Electronics has continued the legacy of nurturing talent through the Ho-Am Prize. He has attended the awards ceremony for five consecutive years, encouraging winners and their families.
Since 2021, the basic science category has been expanded at Lee's suggestion. The science award, previously given to one individual, is now divided into Physics & Mathematics and Chemistry & Life Sciences, allowing for two recipients each year. This initiative aims to increase support for basic science, which often requires a long time to translate research outcomes into industry applications.
Several past recipients have gone on to receive international awards. For instance, Heo Jun, a professor at Princeton University, won the Samsung Ho-Am Prize in Physics & Mathematics in 2021 and received the Fields Medal the following year. Author Han Kang was awarded the Samsung Ho-Am Prize in Arts in May 2024 and was selected for the Nobel Prize in Literature in October of the same year.
The Ho-Am Foundation believes that the increase in prize money will strengthen support for long-term research by scientists, creative activities by artists, and social service initiatives. The foundation plans to secure a broader pool of candidates for nominations both domestically and internationally through this expansion.
Kim Hwang-sik, chairman of the Ho-Am Foundation, expressed hope that outstanding candidates achieving global success across various fields will be actively nominated, stating, "I hope that talents dedicated to research, creation, and service will become more widely recognized in our society."
Nominations for the 37th Samsung Ho-Am Prize will be accepted until the end of October. Winners will be announced in April 2027 after evaluations by domestic and international experts, with the awards ceremony scheduled for June of the same year. The Ho-Am Foundation will select the winners after approximately five months of verification by judges and overseas advisors following the nomination period.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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