The government of Scotland announced it will offer the Saltire Prize, which it called the world’s largest single prize for innovation in marine renewable energy.
Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond said the Saltire Prize, named for Scotland’s national flag, is a 10 million pound (US$20 million) award to encourage world scientists to push the frontiers of innovation in clean, green energy. Entrants for the prize are to demonstrate their innovations in Scotland.
Salmond, who made the announcement April 2 at the headquarters of the National Geographic Society in Washington, did not give full details of the award program. More is to be announced on Scotland’s national day, St. Andrews Day, Nov. 30, at Edinburgh Castle.
An expert international prize committee is to set specific details of the Saltire Prize challenge. The first two members of the committee were named, Terry Garcia, National Geographic Society’s head of global missions, and Professor Anne Glover, Scotland’s chief scientific adviser.
For information, see the Scotland government Internet site, www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/saltire-prize, or contact Innovation Policy Team, Scottish Government, (44) 141-2425554.
