The
Crafoord Prize is an annual science prize established in 1980 by
Holger Crafoord, a Swedish industrialist, and his wife Anna-Greta Crafoord. Administered by the
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the prize is awarded in four categories:
astronomy and
mathematics;
geosciences;
biosciences, with particular emphasis on
ecology; and
polyarthritis, the disease from which Holger severely suffered in his last years. According to the Academy, "these disciplines are chosen so as to complement those for which the
Nobel Prizes are awarded". Only one award is given each year, according to a rotating scheme – astronomy and mathematics; then geosciences; then biosciences. A Crafoord Prize in polyarthritis is only awarded when a special committee decides that substantial progress in the field has been made. The recipient of the Crafoord Prize is announced each year in mid-January; on Crafoord Day in April, the prize is presented by the
King of Sweden, who also presents the Nobel Prizes at the ceremony in December. The prize money, which is 6,000,000
kr (or
US$700,000), is intended to fund further research by the laureate.