Accepting Nominations for $10,000 Mensa Foundation Prize for Creativity and Intelligence

HURST, TEXAS, Nov. 29, 2022 — The Mensa Foundation, philanthropic partner of the high-IQ society American Mensa, is accepting nominations for its fourth biennial Mensa Foundation Prize, which rewards breakthroughs in the studies of intelligence and creativity.

The award is presented biennially by the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, was endowed by the estate of Kenneth Douglas Thomson, and includes a $10,000 prize.

It can honor applied and fundamental discoveries in areas such as brain-related research, creation of tools and mechanisms for advancing such research, or any significant research that leads to an improved understanding of human intelligence, including artificial intelligence. Discoveries must be documented in a major peer-reviewed scientific journal to earn consideration, and nominees will be asked to provide supporting evidence.

In 2017, David Silver accepted the inaugural Foundation Prize for leading Google’s efforts to develop the first computer program to defeat the world’s best Go players.

In 2019, Professor Aron K. Barbey won the award for significantly advancing the neuroscience of brain connectivity with his innovative research applying functional magnetic resonance imaging to the mapping of brain lesions and measuring their effects on raw intelligence.

Most recently, statistical geneticist Dr. Danielle Posthuma was awarded the third Mensa Foundation Prize for her research directly identifying, for the first time, hundreds of human genes highly correlated to variations in intelligence.

Nominations for the Mensa Foundation Prize can be made now until Feb. 28. An application and prize guidelines can be found at MensaFoundation.org/FoundationPrize.

Selection, made by a committee that includes accomplished Mensans and a Nobel Laureate, will be announced in the summer of 2023. Neither nominees nor nominators need to be members of Mensa in order to participate.

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The Mensa Education and Research Foundation exists to foster intelligent solutions to real-world problems, encourage and promote diverse perspectives, and recognize those making contributions toward our understanding of intelligence. For 50 years, the Mensa Foundation has provided scholarships, promoted research, championed gifted youth, and empowered educators. Governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, the Mensa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization funded by American Mensa, Mensa members, and other charitable donations.