MIT Disobedience Award: $250,000 Prize for Civil Disobedience

The MIT Media Lab has launched the Disobedience Award, a $250,000 prize to be awarded on July 21, 2017, to an individual or group that has distinguished themselves through an important act of civil disobedience. The award was made possible by Reid Hoffman, co-founder and chairman of LinkedIn. Submissions are open until May 1, 2017, via the website. The award honors non-violent, creative, courageous acts that positively impact society, spanning scientific research, civil rights, free speech, human rights, and innovation. Although MIT staff emphasize the initiative is not a reaction to the Trump presidency, the recent wave of protests provides a fitting context.