The Richard P. Feynman Prize in teaching is to be awarded annually to a professor who demonstrates, in the broadest sense, unusual ability, creativity, and innovation in undergraduate and graduate classroom or laboratory teaching.
The prize is made possible by a gift of endowment by Ione and Robert E. Paradise, with additional contributions from Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hurt, in appreciation of Richard Feynman's contributions to excellent teaching.
The prize consists of a cash award of $3,500, matched by an equivalent raise in the annual salary of the awardee.
All professorial faculty of the Institute are eligible.
Nomination packages are due on or before the first day the Institute is open for business in January every year. Nominations for the Feynman Prize may be made by any member of the Caltech community, including faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, alumni, and staff. A letter of nomination and detailed supporting material (including, but not limited to, a curriculum vitae, course syllabus or description, and supporting recommendation letters) should be directed to:
Feynman Prize Selection Committee
Office of the Provost
1200 East California Boulevard
Mail Code 206-31
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA 91125
Nomination packages may also be submitted by email to kkerbs@caltech.edu or by fax to (626) 795-1898.
Nominees not selected in a given year will be considered part of the nomination pool for each of the following two years. New material is not required for renomination, but will be accepted. Consideration of a nominee after three years will require renomination.
Selection of the recipient will be made by a committee appointed by the Provost. The committee chair and members will be rotated frequently to reflect all segments of the Institute. The committee shall consist of three professorial faculty, and one representative each from the undergraduate student body and the graduate student body.
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 with a few colleagues and members of the administration, and the donors of the prize.