Definition:Fields Medal

Definition
The Fields Medal is the highest award of the, for "oustanding achievement in mathematics".

It is a gold medal, awarded once every $4$ years at its, using the funds remaining after the financing of the in  in $1924$.

It is awarded to no fewer than $2$ and no more than $4$ mathematicians, usually under $40$ years of age.

The medals stem from a bequest by, who wanted to provide an award comparable to the in stature.

It was his intention to stress the international nature of mathematics, and stated that there should not be attached to the medals:
 * the name of any country, institution or person.

The first Fields Medals were awarded in $1936$, but were interrupted because of the.

They were resumed in $1950$.

The award is administered by a Board of Trustees set up by the, and awarded by a committee of mathematicians appointed by the.

Also see

 * Abel Prize