A UN Decade initiative
Endorsed by the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development
The Global Cosmos Prize Programme for Science Literacy is an endorsed activity of the Decade, which runs from 2024 to 2033 and is coordinated by UNESCO.
The Decade
Ten years to put science to work for people and the planet
Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development calls on researchers, educators and institutions to strengthen the link between science and society, and to make sure everyone can benefit from scientific knowledge.
Endorsed activities form a worldwide network of projects contributing to these goals.
Why the Cosmos Prize
Why a science book prize belongs in the Decade
Informed citizens
From climate to vaccines to artificial intelligence, decisions that shape our lives depend on understanding how scientific knowledge is produced and how to judge it.
Reaching every school
The programme works through ministries and school networks so that every student can take part, including those who rarely get the chance to see science as a path open to them.
Meeting scientists
Students read the books, then debate them with the authors themselves, bringing them face to face with people who do science for a living.
Looking ahead
Growing, one country at a time
With the support of the Decade, we hope to bring a model first proven in Italy, and now active in France, the Netherlands and Spain, to more countries in the years ahead, wherever colleagues are ready to take it on.
4
national editions today
2
prizes in every edition, from scientists and from students
2019
first edition, in Reggio Calabria
1,000s
of students since then
Help us reach the next country
Scientists, educators and institutions who would like to start an edition are warmly invited to get in touch.