The awards are given annually for outstanding work by participants in IIASA's Young Scientists Summer Program. They provide financial support for the winners to return to IIASA for an additional three month period of research.

The Peccei and Mikhalevich Awards
The Peccei Award was established in 1984 in recognition of Dr. Aurelio Peccei's contribution to the understanding of global problems and his efforts to promote multi-national collaborative research through organizations such as IIASA. To date, 52 young scientists have received this Award.

The Mikhalevich Award was established in 1995 following the death of Academician Vladimir S. Mikhalevich, who at that time was Chairman of the IIASA Council. As professor at Kiev University, he encouraged his students to explore new avenues of research and to think creatively and independently. 13 young scholars have thus far received the Mikhalevich Award.

The Selection Committee
The Selection Committee is usually made up of IIASA Director, the Summer Program Dean, and scientific representatives from IIASA programs.

The Selection Procedure
In making its decisions, the Committee draws on the following sources of information:

• Written reports prepared by the candidates during their participation in the annual summer program. These reports are ranked on:
  • the quality of the research;
  • the originality of the research;
  • the effectiveness of the approach;
  • and the relevance and impact of the research.
• Memos from supervisors supporting and evaluating their candidates' nomination;
• Evaluations of the candidates' reports by external reviewers.

Consideration is also given to the candidates' overall contribution to the summer program, including presentations at seminars and the professional interaction with other YSSP participants and IIASA staff.

About Dr. Aurelio Peccei
Dr. Aurelio Peccei (1908-1984), perhaps best known as the President of the Club of Rome, enjoyed a distinguished career in industry, conservation, and international affairs. His hallmark was a humanistic approach to the problems confronting the modern world, be they economic, technological, managerial, or political.

Dr. Peccei was a consistent and devoted friend of IIASA, a member of the small group of individuals who inspired the original concept of the Institute and contributed actively to its realization. In his later years, his overwhelming concern was the challenge of finding creative opportunities for young people to influence a shared future. In 1984, the Peccei Award was established in an effort to meet this charge, as well as to recognize Peccei's contribution to multinational collaborative research.

Perhaps less known, but equally important, was Academician Mikhalevich's role in the academic world of the former Soviet Union. At a time when it was not popular, he ventured into cybernetics and employed computers for mathematical problems. He not only conducted his own pioneer work, but unfailingly supported young researchers who came to work with him even when they followed new directions of enquiry, which diverged from his own.

The awards include living expenses and the cost of travel to and from IIASA (in accordance with IIASA regulations). They do not, however, include expenses for dependents. The work must begin within 12 months following the announcement of the award.

For further information, please contact:

YSSP Coordinator
IIASA
A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Tel: +43-2236-807-541
Fax: +43-2236-71313
E-mail: huber@iiasa.ac.at

Responsible for this page: Tanja Huber
Last updated: 09 Sep 2011