Founded in 1862 in memory of William Hopkins (1793-1866). The prize was first awarded in 1867.

Regulations

1. That the Prize be called ‘The William Hopkins Prize’.

2. That the Prize be adjudged once in three years.

3. (a) That the Prize be awarded in connection with work in Mathematico-Physical or Mathematico-Experimental science or Mathematics alone or Experimental Physics alone by a member of the University of Cambridge, either

• for the best publication, invention, investigation or discovery that has been published during the three years immediately preceding (but that the adjudicators may, if it seem to them advisable in any particular case, award the prize for a publication, invention, investigation or discovery which has not been published within the aforementioned period) or
• to an individual for an especially distinguished contribution in early career, or
• in recognition of a lifetime contribution.

(b) Each Prize for the best publication, invention, investigation or discovery may be awarded to the laboratory or group responsible for it (or to an individual in the case of individual work). It may be restricted to a laboratory or group in or closely associated with, the University of Cambridge.

4. That the fund be vested in the Cambridge Philosophical Society, and the Prize be adjudged by three Fellows of the Society, nominated by the Council of the Society for each occasion.

5. That, in the event of any difficulty arising in carrying out the above provisions in any particular instance, either from lack of a prize-subject of sufficient merit, or from any other cause, the Council of the Cambridge Philosophical Society be at liberty to carry over the amount of the Prize for that term towards augmenting the fund for future prizes, or to award it to someone not a member of the University.

6. That the value of the Prize be £1000, or such sum as shall from time to time be determined by the Council.

Past winners