Facebook, Google create new science prize worth $3 million

Facebook’s and Google’s founders set aside their rivalries to create the “Breakthrough Prize” for science that’s worth more than double the value of the Nobel prize.

Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin and his wife Anne Wojcicki have joined forces to launch the Breakthrough in Life Sciences Award, worth $3 million, The Daily Mail reports.

The prize will be awarded to those with the best ideas in science, medicine, and technology and foundation, lead by the winner, is intended to fund scientists working on research aimed at curing intractable diseases and extending human life.

“Our society needs more heroes who are scientists, researchers and engineers,” Zuckerberg said in a statement. “We need to celebrate and reward the people who cure diseases, expand our understanding of humanity and work to improve people’s lives…At $3 million per prize, it’s the largest prize for this work in the world. I’m hopeful this serves as a blueprint for prizes and philanthropy in other fields as well.”

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