The Dantzig Prize

   call for nominations
   citations 2006
   past winners 

The Dantzig Prize was founded by a group of George B. Dantzig's former students (R. W. Cottle, E. L. Johnson, R. M. van Slyke, and R. J.-B. Wets). It is awarded jointly by this Society (MPS) and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM).

"The prize is awarded for original work which, by its breadth and scope, constitutes an outstanding contribution to the field of mathematical programming... The contribution(s) for which the award is made must be publicly available and may belong to any aspect of mathematical programming in its broadest sense. The contributions eligible for consideration are not restricted with respect to the age or number of their authors although preference should be given to the singly-authored work of 'younger' people... The prize will be awarded every three years. The award will be presented at each International Symposium of MPS except every third time at a national meeting of SIAM, either the national (spring) or fall meeting of SIAM in the year of the award."

The first awards of the Prize were made at the Eleventh International Symposium on Mathematical Programming in 1982 to M. J. D. Powell, for his pioneering work in the optimization of nonlinear functions, and to R. T. Rockafellar for his key contributions to the theory of nonlinear optimization.

Guidelines

The prize is awarded jointly by the Mathematical Programming Society (MPS) and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). The prize is awarded for research which, by its originality, breadth and depth, is having a major impact on the field of mathematical programming. The contributions(s) for which the award is made must be publicly available and may belong to any aspect of mathematical programming in its broadest sense. Preference will be given to candidates that have not reached their 50th birthday in the year of the award. The prize will be awarded to at most two persons at a time.

The Prize Committee

There will be an ad hoc Prize Committee appointed for each award jointly by the Chairman of MPS and the President of SIAM. The committee will consist of four members, one designated 'chair' by the Chair of MPS, and it will represent a diversified view of mathematical programming. Committee appointments should be made at least two years before the prize award date. The MPS has the responsibility to notify its Chair and the President of SIAM to make the appointments.

For continuity, committee members will normally serve on two successive prize committees with the committee chairman being a seond-term member. Thus two new members will be appointed and two members will be reappointed every three years. Committee members will be members of MPS and/or SIAM. At least two members of the committee will be MPS members and at least two will be members of SIAM. The membership of the committee should also reflect the international character of the societies.

Committee Procedure

The committee is responsible for the solicitation and evaluation of nominations. A call for nominations should be placed in appropriate SIAM, MPS, and other publications. Nominations should be accompanied by a letter of recommendation. The full committee should meet at least once, early enough to permit extended discussions regarding the qualifications of the candidates.

The committee will deliver its final report with its nominee(s) at least six months prior to the prize award date. The committee will complete its duties iwth the awarding of the prize. If the committee reports that no prize can be awarded, then the prize money will be used to increase the endowment and the duties of the committee will be completed.

The nominations(s) for the award should be presented by the Prize Committee to the Executive Committees of the SIAM Council and of MPS, via the President of SIAM and the Chair of MPS. The nomination(s) for the award must be accompanied by a written justification and a citation of about 100 words that can be read at the award date.

Both SIAM and MPS must accept the nomination(s). Objections by either one of the two societies will nullify the nomination(s). If the nomination(s) of the Prize Committee is rejected by MPS and/or SIAM, the Prize Committee may propose a second nomination.

Prize Award Date

A prize award will be considered every three years. If no prize is awarded, the award date moves ahead three years.

The Prize Fund

MPS has the responsibility for soliciting and providing the funds necessary for the prize award. The fund will come from a contributed endowment. Theses funds are to be sent directly to SIAM, to be contributed to the George B. Dantzig Prize Fund in care of SIAM. SIAM has the responsibility for managing and administering the prize fund.

Description of the Award

The award is to include a certificate containing the citation and a cash prize, the amount of which is to be determined by the Executive Committee of the SIAM Board and of MPS. Normally the amount of the prize will be approximately the available proceeds from the endowment minus travel expenses from the endowment as noted below. Travel expenses for the award recipient(s) to the meeting will normally be paid by the George B. Dantzig Prize Fund, or as necessary, out of the operating funds of the Society that hosts the award. It is the option of the hosting organization to make the payment of travel expenses contigent on the delivery of a major lecture at the meeting.

The Award Presentation

The award will be presented at the International Symposium of MPS except every third time it will take place at a national meeting of SIAM, either the National (Spring) or Fall meeting of SIAM in the year of the award. Presentation will be made by the Chair of MPS (or his designate) when MPS is hosting the award, or otherwise by the President of SIAM (or his designate). The recipient is expected to make a short acceptance speech.

Change to These Specifications

Any changes to these specifications must have the approval of MPS and the SIAM Council and Board of Trustees.

top of page