We are currently accepting submissions for the 2026 Buchalter Cosmology Prize.
Submission instructions and qualifications for the Buchalter Cosmology Prize are as follows:
- Submissions must be original and innovative work in cosmology that puts forth either new theories, new observations, or new methods that have the potential to produce a breakthrough advance beyond our present understanding of the standard cosmological model and currently-accepted paradigms.
- Potential examples of theoretical work might include innovative theories that can explain a wide range of cosmological observations from first principles without invoking the paradigms of inflation or dark energy, or conversely, new ideas that provide a fundamental physical motivation for inflation or dark energy (other than merely as solutions to the horizon problem and apparent cosmic acceleration).
- Potential examples of observational or experimental work might include new observational data that credibly challenges currently-accepted models, observational tests supporting or refuting alternative cosmological theories (e.g., of the kind described immediately above), proposed experimental methods for direct detection of dark matter, dark energy, or inflation, or results from such tests (whether positive or negative).
- Submissions which merely validate current models but are not deemed to credibly and meaningfully extend or challenge our understanding will not be eligible.
- Submissions must first be entered into arxiv.org as English-written papers. Please be sure to obtain an arXiv reference number for your paper and include that in your submission.
- Submissions will only be considered from individuals who currently hold a PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, Astronomy, or a closely-related field, or are currently in an accredited graduate program pursuing a PhD degree in these fields.
- Submitters may enter papers which they have authored, or may nominate the work of other authors.
- Submitters may enter up to three submissions for consideration in any annual cycle of the Prize.
- Authors making multiple submissions are heavily encouraged to select their strongest and most original work on a particular topic, and not enter multiple submissions relating to the same fundamental idea. Failing to do so could adversely impact consideration by the judges.
- For the 2026 prize, submissions must be made on this website between October 1st, 2025 and September 30th, 2026, and the original arXiv publication date of the paper being submitted must be no earlier than January 1, 2024.
- Resubmissions of papers entered in prior years will not be considered.
- Advisors for the Prize, as well as active panel Judges and the prior panel of Judges, are ineligible to submit papers or share in any portion of a prize. Submitted papers on which any of the prize Advisors, active Judges, or the prior panel of Judges are authors, will not be considered.
Submission Form
(please fill out submitter’s information, as well as the arXiv reference number of the paper being submitted)