John von Neumann Award

The John von Neumann Award (Hungarian: Neumann János-díj), named after John von Neumann, is given annually by the Rajk László College for Advanced Studies in Budapest, to an outstanding scholar in the exact social sciences, whose works have had substantial influence over a long period of time on the studies and intellectual activity of the students of the college. The award was established in 1994 and is given annually. In 2013, separately from the annual prize, Kenneth J. Arrow was given the Honorary John von Neumann Award.

This award differentiates itself from other scientific awards on the basis that it is given by students of economics and various social sciences, decided after a long deliberation process. The students select the nominees and vote for the prize-winner in the Assembly of the College after a review and debate regarding the pre-selected names.

Most of the recipients of the award have been academics working in some branch of economics - an exception is the philosopher and political theorist Jon Elster. Multiple recipients, such as Jean Tirole, Esther Duflo, and Joshua Angrist were subsequently awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics. Others like Gary Becker and John Harsanyi received the award after they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics. Kenneth J. Arrow also received the Honorary John von Neumann Award in 2013 after being awarded the Nobel Prize in 1972.