For the second year in a row, the MIT Media Lab is giving out a no-strings-attached cash award of $250,000 for “disobedience” that benefits society; the prize is a reaction to MIT’s shameful historic instances of throwing disobedient researchers under the bus, from Aaron Swartz to Star Simpson to bunnie Huang.
Eligibility Requirements and Award Details
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Recipient must be living at the time of nomination.*
If an organization, it must be currently operational at the time of nomination.*
Individuals, groups, and organizations cannot nominate themselves.*
Recipient must have taken personal/professional risk in order to affect positive change.*
If a group of people or an organization is awarded the prize, they will receive one $250,000 check to distribute at their own discretion.*
This award is open to any person or group in the world as long as they follow the principles of nonviolent disobedience to impact society in positive ways. All disciplines are eligible.
Nominations are now open for the second MIT Media Lab Disobedience Award, which carries a $250,000 cash prize, no strings attached. [Jessica Sousa/MIT Media Lab]
(Disclosure: I am an MIT Media Lab Research Affiliate)