Statutes of The Gunnerus Sustainability Award

1. The Gunnerus Sustainability Award was established by the Board of The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (DKNVS), in collaboration with the Technoport Association, as specified in a contract dated May 6, 2011.

The full name of the award is:
The Gunnerus Sustainability Award
Awarded by The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters in cooperation with Technoport.

The Technoport partners have the intention to continue the collaboration, with DKNVS becoming full member of the Technoport Association from 2013, with subsequent award events taking place every second year, provided the economic conditions allow.

2. The award honours outstanding scientific work promoting global sustainable development. The aim is to contribute to the strengthening of research and advancing the achievement of scientific facts in this broad area. The detailed specification of research area is to be decided by the DKNVS Board each year. For 2012 the award is in the field of biodiversity.

3. For 2012 the Board of DKNVS makes available the award amount, and covers all expenses connected to the selection process.

4. The award goes to one scientist, or may be shared between two or three for closely related fundamental scientific contributions. The award amount for 2012 is NOK 1 million – one million. Only living persons may be nominated. If an award winner dies before the award ceremony, the award will be given post mortem.

5. An international scientific committee of five members is established to evaluate the nominations. The chairman is Norwegian. Each committee member is expected to nominate a candidate. The committee ranks the candidates. The board of DKNVS thereafter selects the award winner.

6. The first scientific committee is appointed for 2012 only.

7. In addition to nominations from the scientific committee members, DKNVS invites nominations from Norwegian and international scientific academies, research institutions and universities, as well as university professors.

8. All practical and economic responsibilities connected to the award ceremony, including PR, are carried by Technoport without remuneration from DKNVS.