Inamori-KYOCERA International Ceramics Prize
The Inamori-KYOCERA International Ceramics Prize is designed to honour those who have substantially aided the ceramics industries through scholarship, invention, process development and international collaboration. The prize is endowed by Kyocera and named in honour of the founder of the company, Kazuo Inamori. A major purpose of this Award is to publicize the role of ceramic materials in the daily lives of people throughout the world. The Award is administered by the International Ceramic Federation and will be announced annually on or around the International Day of Ceramics (March 12 each year). The Japan Fine Ceramics Association is the instigator of the prize. There will be a maximum of two recipients (individuals or small teams) each year, each prize being $10,000 USD. The Award will be given at the ICC meeting every two years, meaning that up to four awards will be given at each ICC. The recipients can be from industry, academia, government, or other research institutes and laboratories. International impact and collaboration are key. Promotion of the ceramic industry can be through such activities as invention or improvement of critical technology, processes, materials applications, or facilitating international awareness and collaboration. Environmental implications are important considerations. Although scientific and engineering breakthroughs or innovations are critical to the success of industry, so is innovation in company leadership and the management of resources and markets. A key purpose of the Award is the expansion of the use of ceramic materials in an environmentally- and socially-conscious manner that has global benefits.