Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching

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, 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.  

Nominations for the Feynman Teaching Prize from faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and alumni are welcome.  Guidelines for the prize are included below.  Please submit detailed nomination packages to the Provost's Office by December 19, 2022.  

CRITERIA FOR THE PRIZE:
The Richard P. Feynman Prize in teaching is to be 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.    

ORIGIN OF THE PRIZE:
Established in 1993, the annual prize is made possible by a gift of endowment by Ione and Robert E. Paradise with additional contributions from a local anonymous couple.  The prize honors Richard Feynman's contributions to excellent teaching pursued in tandem with research.  

TERMS OF THE PRIZE:
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.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE PRIZE:
Nomination packages are due by December 19, 2022. 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 with up to five additional letters, each no more than 500 words, from students and colleagues.  Supporting material, such as a curriculum vitae and course syllabus or description, can also be included.  Nomination packages should be emailed to [email protected].

RENOMINATIONS:
Renominations 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 renomination.

SELECTION:
Selection of the recipient will be made by a committee appointed by the Provost.  The committee chair and members will be rotated frequently in order to ensure broad representation across the Institute.  The committee will consist of at least three professorial faculty, a vice provost, and one representative each from the undergraduate student body and the graduate student body.  The director for the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach may serve as an ex-officio member.  

PRESENTATION OF THE PRIZE:
The Feynman Prize will be presented at a regular meeting of the Caltech faculty in the second term.  In addition, the awardee will be honored at a small celebratory dinner or other suitable event attended by a few colleagues and members of the administration and the donors of the prize.

FORMER FEYNMAN TEACHING PRIZE RECIPIENTS:
Please see the following url for a complete list: https://provost.caltech.edu/org-programs/feynmanteachingprize