Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching

From: David Tirrell, Provost and 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 or graduate classroom or laboratory teaching while pursuing world-class research.

We welcome nominations for the Feynman Teaching Prize from faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and alumni.  Eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and guidelines for nominations are outlined below.

ELIGIBILITY:

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

CRITERIA:

The Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching is 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 increase in the awardee's annual salary.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES:

Nomination packages for the Feynman Prize are due by December 17, 2025.

Nominations 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 (optional)

Nomination packages should be emailed to [email protected]

If multiple nominations are received for a single candidate, nominators will be asked to combine materials into a single nomination that meets the above criteria.

RE-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.
Re-nominations should conform to the guidelines for nominations.

FORMER FEYNMAN TEACHING PRIZE RECIPIENTS:
https://provost.caltech.edu/programs-and-resources/feynmanteachingprize
FAQ: https://provost.caltech.edu/org-programs/feynmanteachingprize/feynman-faq