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Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching

October 15, 2024
Office of the Provost

To: Caltech Community
From: David Tirrell, Provost, Michelle Effros, Vice Provost for Education

We are pleased to solicit nominations for the Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching. The Feynman Prize, established in 1993 and endowed through the generosity of Ione and Robert E. Paradise with additional contributions from an anonymous local couple, honors annually a professor who demonstrates, in the broadest sense, unusual ability, creativity, and innovation in undergraduate and graduate classroom or laboratory teaching pursued in tandem with research.  

Nominations for the Feynman Teaching Prize from faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and alumni are welcome. Guidelines for the prize are included below.

CRITERIA:
The Richard P. Feynman Prize in teaching awarded annually to a professorial faculty member who demonstrates unusual talent, creativity, and innovation in undergraduate or graduate classroom or laboratory teaching, creating an inclusive learning environment while pursuing world-class research.

TERMS:
The prize consists of a cash award of $3,500, matched by an equivalent raise in the annual salary of the awardee.

ELIGIBILITY:
All active tenure-track and tenured professorial faculty of the Institute are eligible.

NOMINATION GUIDELINES:
Nomination packages are due by December 16, 2024. Nominations for the Feynman Prize may be made by any member of the Caltech community, including faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and alumni. Nomination packages should include:
• A letter of nomination of no more than 750 words
• Up to five additional letters, each no more than 500 words, from students and colleagues
• A short (1-2 page) curriculum vitae may also be included
A single combined nomination is preferred over multiple independent nominations.  

Nomination packages should be emailed to [email protected]

RE-NOMINATIONS:
Re-nominations should conform to the guidelines for nominations. Nominees not selected in a given year will be considered part of the nomination pool for each of the following two years. Consideration of a nominee after three years will require re-nomination.

FORMER FEYNMAN TEACHING PRIZE RECIPIENTS:
https://provost.caltech.edu/org-programs/feynmanteachingprize