The Heinz Awards were individual achievement honors given annually by the Heinz Family Foundation. The Awards were established in 1993 by Teresa Heinz (chair of the Heinz Family Foundation)[1] in honor of her late husband, U.S. Senator H. John Heinz III.[2][3][4][5][6] The award program was concluded at the end of 2025.[7] The Heinz Awards were considered to be among the largest individual achievement prizes in the world.[8][9]
From their inception until 2019, the Awards encompassed the categories of Arts and Humanities; Environment; Human Condition; Public Policy; and Technology, Economy and Employment. Subsequently, they recognized outstanding individuals for their innovative contributions in three areas: the Arts, the Economy and the Environment.
Each recipient received an unrestricted prize of US$250,000 and a cast silver medallion.[10][11] In 2009 through 2011, the Awards held Special Focus years on the Environment, and expanded its recognition to 10 recipients annually, each receiving US$100,000 and a medallion.[12] The Heinz Awards medallion displays the likeness of Senator Heinz and the words "Shared Ideals Realized" on its front side, excerpted from a quote by the late Senator Heinz. Its reverse side features an image of a globe being exchanged between two hands.[9][13]
Selection
As written by the Heinz Family Foundation, candidates selected for the Heinz Awards met three standards:
First, nominees exhibited the following personal characteristics: A passion for excellence that went beyond intellectual curiosity; a concern for humanity rooted in a deep sensitivity to the well-being of others; and a broad vision that extended far beyond the particular and embraced something universal.
Second, the work of the nominees met the following criteria: it was significant and not a "quick fix"; it demonstrated enduring and meaningful impact; it was creative and innovative; and it was sufficiently tangible to serve as a model for replication elsewhere.
Third, candidates were actively working in the field in which they were nominated so that the award would enhance their potential for future societal contribution.[14]
Members of an invited council of nominators were chosen for their expertise in the fields relevant to the award category for which they were nominating.[9] After the nominators recommended candidates and program staff reviewed the nomination materials, the nominations were forwarded to a jury consisting of noted experts in each of the categories. The jury then recommended a slate of recipients to the program's board of directors for final approval.[15]
Chairman's Medal
In certain years, the Heinz Awards board also chose to honor the lifetime achievement of a particular individual. The award was a non-monetary prize, and the honoree was presented with the Heinz Awards medallion at the same ceremony as the other laureates.
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