The Disobedience Award has closed.

The Disobedience Award—a $250,000, no-strings-attached prize—recognized individuals and groups who engage in responsible, ethical disobedience aimed at challenging norms, rules, or laws that sustain society’s injustices.

This award honored work that is focused on positive impact and is consistent with a set of key principles, including:

nonviolence

creativity

courage

personal responsibility

The award was open to people and groups working in any discipline anywhere in the world, including, but not limited to, scientific research, civil rights, freedom of speech, human rights, and the freedom to innovate. By rewarding thoughtful, nonviolent acts of disobedience, we hoped to raise the public profile of these activities and ultimately inspire new agents of change.