The Simons Foundation selected 21 mathematicians, theoretical physicists and theoretical computer scientists from across the country to take part in the inaugural year of its program.
The foundation said the goal of the Simons Investigators is to provide a stable base of support for outstanding scientists, enabling them to undertake long-term study of fundamental questions.
The money comes with no strings attached and recipients did not know they were being considered, a process similar to how MacArthur Foundation grants, popularly known as "genius" awards, are granted.
Simons Investigators from UC are:
- Terence Tao, UCLA, mathematics
- Russell Impagliazzo, UC San Diego, computer science
- Eliot Quataert, UC Berkeley, physics
The Simons Foundation was founded in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons with a mission to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.
In May, the foundation gave $60 million to UC Berkeley to create the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing.
See the full list of Simons Investigators.