Location Indianapolis, Indiana First awarded 2006 | Country United States | |
Awarded for "Extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts" Presented by Indianapolis Zoological Society Reward(s) US$250,000 (1st place)
US$10,000 (5 runners-up) | ||
The Indianapolis Prize is a biennial prize awarded by the Indianapolis Zoo to individuals for "extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts" affecting one or more animal species.
Overview
The Indianapolis Prize was established by the Indianapolis Zoo to recognize and reward individuals who have achieved significant successes in the conservation of animal species.
Every two years, nominations of deserving individuals for the Indianapolis Prize are accepted. From those nominations, a group of conservation experts from around the world act as the Nominating Committee and select six finalists. A second group of conservation experts, aided by representatives from the Indianapolis Zoo and the city of Indianapolis, carefully review the work of the six finalists and select the winner of the Prize.
From 2006 through 2012, winners of the Prize received an unrestricted cash award of US$100,000, which was increased to US$250,000 for 2014 and subsequent years. In addition, beginning in 2014, five other finalists each receive a US$10,000 unrestricted cash award.
The Prize winner and finalists are selected by a two-stage process involving a nominating committee and jury. Many renowned conservationists and scientists have served on the nominating committee and jury, including E.O. Wilson, John Terborgh, Peter Raven, Stuart Pimm, and Mark Stanley Price. New nominating committee and jury members are chosen each two-year Prize cycle.
The winner and finalists gather together in celebration for the Indianapolis Prize Gala, held in downtown Indianapolis. Along with being featured at the event, the conservationists are part of a variety of other outreach and community activities designed to tell their stories.
The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation provides funding for the Prize. In addition to the US$250,000 award the winner also receives the Lilly Medal. The obverse of the Lilly Medal features a shepherd surrounded by nature and the rising sun. On the reverse is inscribed a quote from naturalist John Muir, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."