Washington, DC and Budapest – An agreement between the Hungarian American Coalition and the Arany János Foundation for the Sciences (Arany János Közalapítvány a Tudományért) will provide funding for the establishment of a Károly Simonyi Board of Trustees. The Board will grant two $10,000 awards annually for the next three years: one of the prizes will be awarded for excellence in the field of physical sciences and the other for excellence in technical education and research. Both awards will be presented by the President of the Foundation on Hungarian Science Day each year.

The Arany Janos Foundation for the Sciences was established in 2001 by the Government of Hungary and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences to support the development of scientific endeavours of Hungarians living in Hungary and beyond the borders.

The Hungarian American Coalition’s Chairman of the Board, Edith K. Lauer and the President of the Arany János Közalapítvány a Tudományért, Dr. Béla Halász signed the Grant Agreement today in Budapest at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Present at the ceremony were distinguished members of the Hungarian scientific community as well as members of the Board of the Hungarian American Coalition.

The establishment of this prestigious prize was made possible by a generous donation by Dr. Charles Simonyi, a leading software developer for Microsoft Corporation.

The Hungarian American Coalition is a nationwide non-profit organization that promotes public understanding and awareness of Hungarian American issues.