Vilcek Foundation

In fulfilling its ongoing mission to raise public awareness of the outstanding contributions of foreign-born scientists and artists living and working in the United States, the Vilcek Foundation presents awards annually to four selected candidates in biomedical research and a changing category in the arts . The guiding philosophy behind the establishment of the Vilcek Foundation Prizes, and other Foundation programs, is to support activities that reflect the values of Jan and Marica Vilcek, the organization’s cofounders, and help express their appreciation for the many opportunities afforded to them by their adopted country.

The 2012 recipients of the Vilcek Prize and the Creative Promise Prize maintain the high standard set by the first, and all subsequent, winners. The seventh annual Vilcek Prize for Biomedical Science is awarded to Carlos Bustamante, PhD, in recognition of his groundbreaking research into the inner workings of the cell and movement of individual molecules within cells. The winner of the Vilcek Prize for the Arts−Dance is the man considered by many to be the greatest ballet dancer of this, or any, generation, Mikhail Baryshnikov. The Creative Promise Prizes, which honor earlier-stage achievement, are presented to: Alice Ting, in biomedical science, for her contribution to the problem of specific protein functioning, through site-specific protein labeling; and Michel Kouakou, for his creative use of dance to build bridges of cultural understanding, worldwide. READ MORE >

The Vilcek Trophy

The Vilcek Award was designed to reflect the remarkable journey made by its recipients, foreign-born scholars and artists, from their homelands to the United States. Historically, awards—typically, in the form of statues or bas-relief plaques—were designed by artists, and produced using traditional artisanal techniques, often repoussé, sculpting, or metal casting. Even today, the production of many of the most widely known and coveted awards—the Nobel Prizes, Olympic medals, sports championship cups, and statuettes in the entertainment fields—carries on these traditions, in both materials and manufacture. READ MORE >

Prize Images

Images are provided exclusively to the press, and only for the purpose of media coverage of the Vilcek Foundation and its activities. All published images must be accompanied by the credit line provided and, if noted, copyright information. Downloading of images constitutes agreement to these terms. VIEW GALLERY >