In recognition of the crucial role that Science and Technology plays in socio-economic development, the IDB has, over the years, diversified and increased its assistance to its member countries in this area.

While the IDB continued to direct its efforts and financing to capacity-building, procurement of equipment and establishment of infrastructure in S&T applications, it has realized the necessity to develop a leading scientific elite among S&T institutions in member countries through the pursuit of excellence.

II. Purpose and Objectives
1. The IDB Prizes for Science & Technology are expected to encourage merit institutions and to promote competition among S&T institutions; the prizes would further herald the commitment of the IDB to implement forward-looking policies and integrate advanced S&T applications in the overall development agenda of its member countries. The objectives of the IDB Prizes for Science and Technology are as follows:
2. to promote a sound and fruitful competition among the S&T education and research institutions in its member countries for achieving excellence;
3. to encourage and support the successful institutions in this competition;
4. to raise awareness among decision-makers and intellectuals about the present and potential contribution of S&T to sustainable development; and
5. to highlight S&T related policies and contribution of the IDB.

III. Prize Categories

The IDB Science and Technology Prizes scheme consists of three (3) prizes awarded on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the IDB Board of Governors. Each prize will consist of a cash award of one hundred thousand (100,000) US dollars, a trophy and a certificate mentioning the name of the winner and its accomplishments.

The Prizes are awarded only to institutions (not to individuals) in IDB member countries in the following categories:
Category 1:Outstanding scientific or technological contribution to the socio-economic development of a member country.

Category 2:Outstanding contribution to any of the following scientific disciplines: Engineering Sciences; Agriculture; Medicine; Biotechnology; Information Technology; Optoelectronics; Material Sciences; Pharmaceutical Sciences; Industrial Microelectronics; alternative Energy Sources and Nanotechnology.

Category 3:Noted scientific research institutions in the IDB Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs).

Scholarship Application Deadline: 15 March 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application