Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching

Date: November 15, 2021
To: Caltech Community
From: David Tirrell, Provost, and Michelle Effros, Vice Provost

We are pleased to solicit nominations for the Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching.  The Feynman Prize is endowed through the generosity of Ione and Robert E. Paradise, with additional contributions from a local anonymous couple.  The prize honors annually an individual who demonstrates, in the broadest sense, unusual ability, creativity, and innovation in undergraduate and graduate classroom or laboratory teaching while serving as a professor who is also expected to lead an outstanding research program.

Nominations for the Feynman Teaching Prize are welcome from faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and alumni.  Guidelines for the prize are attached.  Please submit detailed nomination packages to the Provost's Office by January 10, 2022.

CRITERIA FOR THE PRIZE:
The Richard P. Feynman Prize in teaching is to be awarded annually to a professor who demonstrates, in the broadest sense, unusual ability, creativity, and innovation in undergraduate and graduate classroom or laboratory teaching while serving in a position where outstanding research is also a top priority.

ORIGIN OF THE PRIZE:
Established in 1993, the annual prize is made possible by a gift of endowment by Ione and Robert E. Paradise, with additional contributions from a local anonymous couple, in appreciation of Richard Feynman's contributions to excellent teaching while serving in a position where outstanding research is also a top priority.

TERMS OF THE PRIZE:
The prize consists of a cash award of $3,500, matched by an equivalent raise in the annual salary of the awardee.

ELIGIBILITY:
All tenured and tenure-track faculty of the Institute are eligible.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE PRIZE:
Nomination packages are due by January 10, 2022.  Nominations for the Feynman Prize may be made by any member of the Caltech community, including faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, alumni, and staff.  Nomination packages should include a letter of nomination of no more than 750 words with up to five additional letters from students and colleagues of no more than 500 words.  Supporting material, such as a curriculum vitae and course syllabus or description, can also be included.  Nomination packages should be emailed to [email protected], with Feynman Prize Nomination in the subject line.

RENOMINATIONS:
Nominees not selected in a given year will be considered part of the nomination pool for each of the following two years.  New material is not required for renomination, but will be accepted.  Consideration of a nominee after three years will require renomination.

SELECTION:
Selection of the recipient will be made by a committee appointed by the Provost.  The committee chair and members will be rotated frequently in order to ensure broad representation across the Institute.  The committee will consist of at least three professorial faculty, and one representative each from the undergraduate student body and the graduate student body.  The vice provost will serve as an ex-officio member of the committee unless a designee is appointed.

PRESENTATION OF THE PRIZE:
The Feynman Prize will be presented at a regular meeting of the Caltech faculty in the second term.  In addition, the awardee will be honored at a small celebratory dinner or other suitable event with a few colleagues and members of the administration, and the donors of the prize.

FORMER FEYNMAN TEACHING PRIZE RECIPIENTS:
Please see the following url for a complete list: http://provost.caltech.edu/org-programs/richard-p-feynman-prize-for-excellence-in-teaching