Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
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On January 15, 1831, the Demidov Prize was established “to promote the advancement of science, literature, and industry,” which became the first regular and most honorable scientific award in Russia.
The award is named in honor of its founder, Pavel Demidov, a member of an influential Ural mining family known not only as a successful industrialist but also as a patron of Russian science.
Financing of the Prize
Pavel Demidov decided to annually contribute 20,000 rubles to the Academy of Sciences for awards to scientists "for the best works in various parts in Russia" and another 5,000 rubles "for the publication of manuscripts awarded by the Academy."
According to Demidov's will, funding for the prize continued for another 25 years after his death.
Award period and laureates
The prize was awarded until 1865, usually on the birthday of the reigning emperor.
Over 34 years, more than 900 scientific papers were reviewed in various fields of knowledge, including history, philology, geography, chemistry, physics, biology and others.
During this period, 55 full prizes (each worth 5,000 rubles) and 220 half prizes were awarded. Among the outstanding scientists awarded this prize were:
Historians Alexander Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, Mikhail Pogodin, Dmitry Milyutin, Ivan Zabelin, and Dmitry Tolstoy. Navigators and geographers Fyodor Litke and Ivan Kruzenshtern. Philologist Alexander Vostokov. Chemist Dmitry Mendeleev. Mathematician Pafnuty Chebyshev. Physiologist Ivan Sechenov. Physician Nikolai Pirogov, who received the Demidov Prize four times for his medical monographs.
Revival of tradition
In 1993, the tradition was revived on the initiative of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS).
Currently, the prize is paid from the Demidov Scientific Foundation and is awarded not for a specific scientific work, but for the scientist’s overall contribution to the development of science.
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: January 15, 2026.
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