The Breakthrough Prize Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 2015 and based in Washington, DC. The organization administers the Breakthrough Prize, internationally recognized as the "Oscars of Science," which honors exceptional scientists and researchers working in fundamental disciplines. The foundation supports scientific achievement through major prize awards and related initiatives designed to celebrate and inspire scientific excellence globally.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$41.7M
-39.9% YoY
Grant Count
38
-19.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.1M
-25.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on celebrating individual scientific achievement and honoring scientists as heroes of society, while inspiring the next generation of researchers and championing science for the benefit of all as a global, apolitical organization.
The foundation awards prizes in three primary fields:
- Life Sciences
- Fundamental Physics
- Mathematics
Additionally, the foundation supports:
- New Horizons in Physics and Mathematics Prizes – awarded to early-career researchers
- Maryam Mirzakhani New Frontiers Prize – for emerging talent
- Breakthrough Initiatives – including support for displaced Ukrainian scientists and researchers
- Breakthrough Junior Challenge – programs engaging younger scientists
Grantmaking
Each primary Breakthrough Prize carries a monetary award of $3 million per recipient.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds globally, with grantmaking reaching organizations across multiple states. Primary grantmaking concentration is in the District of Columbia, California, and Virginia, which account for 98% of all grants. The foundation has supported 354 unique organizations across 6 states.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (FY 2024):
- Total Revenues: $60,760,522
- Total Expenses: $57,570,255
- Total Assets: $19,729,292
- Total Liabilities: Not specified in recent data
Prior Year (FY 2023):
- Total Revenues: $98,737,823
- Total Expenses: $91,400,000
- Total Assets: $20,800,000
- Total Liabilities: $5,700,000
Investment Income:
- 2024: $431,333
- 2023: $7,138
The foundation's revenues declined 38.9% from 2023 to 2024, primarily due to changes in grants and contributions received.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
223 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Milky Way Research Foundation ($6,555,978), Milky Way Research Foundation ($5,081,897), Milky Way Research Foundation ($4,699,399).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SIMON BRENDLE WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN MATHEMATICS | $3,000,000 |
| JOHN CARDY WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $1,500,000 |
| ALEXANDER ZAMOLODCHIKOV WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE IN FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS | $1,500,000 |
| ANGKANA RULAND WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 NEW HORIZONS IN MATHEMATICS PRIZE | $100,000 |
| MICHAEL GROECHENIG WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 NEW HORIZONS IN MATHEMATICS PRIZE | $100,000 |
| ROLAND BAUERSCHMIDT WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 NEW HORIZONS IN MATHEMATICS PRIZE | $100,000 |
| ALEXANDRU LUPSASCA WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 NEW HORIZONS IN PHYSICS PRIZE | $50,000 |
| MICHAEL JOHNSON WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 NEW HORIZONS IN PHYSICS PRIZE | $50,000 |
| MARKO SIMONOVIC WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 NEW HORIZONS IN PHYSICS PRIZE | $33,333 |
| MIKHAIL IVANOV WASHINGTON, DC | 2024 NEW HORIZONS IN PHYSICS PRIZE | $33,333 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- S. Pete Worden – Executive Chairman
- James A. Hutchinson, Esq. – Principal Officer
The foundation is governed by 6 officers and trustees and employs 11 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| YURI B MILNER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| BRECK HANCOCK | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JAMES A HUTCHINSON | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| SIMON PETER WORDEN | CHAIRMAN, DIVISION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $347,705 |
| MARGOT MCGINNESS | DIVISION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 10 | $238,956 |
| KARL JOHANSSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | $7,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Ukrainian Science Support (August 2023):**
The Breakthrough Prize Foundation announced up to $2.1 million in challenge grant funding to the National Academy of Sciences to support Ukrainian-led scientific research projects. This funding was established as a challenge grant to encourage additional philanthropic support and reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting displaced Ukrainian scientists during the ongoing conflict.
Breakthrough Prize Announces 2025 Laureates in Life Sciences ...**2025 Laureate Announcements:**
The foundation announced 2025 laureates in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics, and Mathematics, continuing its annual tradition of recognizing exceptional scientific achievement.
BREAKTHROUGH PRIZE ANNOUNCES 2025 LAUREATES IN LIFE SCIENCES, FUNDAMENTALContact Information
- Address: 1900 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036-1656
- Phone: (202) 346-4293
- Website: www.breakthroughprize.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Breakthrough Prize Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on celebrating individual scientific achievement and honoring scientists as heroes of society, while inspiring the next generation of researchers and championing science for the benefit of all as a global, apolitical organization. The foundation awards prizes in three primary fields: • **Life Sciences** • **Fundamental Physics** • **Mathematics** Additionally, the foundation supports: • **New Horizons in Physics and Mathematics Prizes** – awarded to early-career…
How do I apply for a grant from Breakthrough Prize Foundation?
**Prize Structure:** Each primary Breakthrough Prize carries a monetary award of $3 million per recipient. **Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 291 grants in the most recent reporting year (2024) • Historical grantmaking totals approximately $110 million across 376 grants • Individual grants have ranged from $758 to $20 million, with a median grant of $9,000 and average award of $293,000 • Annual giving has grown from $9 million in 2020 to $69.4 million in 2023 **Recent Major Grants:** • M…
Where does Breakthrough Prize Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds globally, with grantmaking reaching organizations across multiple states. Primary grantmaking concentration is in the District of Columbia, California, and Virginia, which account for 98% of all grants. The foundation has supported 354 unique organizations across 6 states.
What size grants does Breakthrough Prize Foundation award?
In 2024, Breakthrough Prize Foundation awarded 38 grants totaling $41.7M — an average of about $1.1M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Breakthrough Prize Foundation's EIN?
Breakthrough Prize Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0677985. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Breakthrough Prize Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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