On September 13, the winners of the XPLORER PRIZE 2021 were announced. The XPLORER PRIZE awards 50 outstanding scientists each year, with each winner bestowed a total of 3 million yuan over the course of 5 years by the Tencent Foundation. Among this year's diverse group of winners are 11 Pekingers, consisting of 6 professors and 5 alumni.

Launched in 2018, THE XPLORER PRIZE is a leading independent, non-governmental, merit-based public-interest award, developed and evaluated by prominent scientists. The Award is also one of the most generous talent funding programs for young scientists in China.

Focusing on Basic Sciences and Frontier Technologies, THE XPLORER PRIZE is awarded to up to 50 young scientists every year. Eligible recipients who are aged 45 and under and working full-time, will receive a no-strings-attached fund totaling RMB 3,000,000 over a five-year period to further their scientific research. So far, the Award has operated for three years, funding a total of 150 promising young scientists.

Throughout the years, recipients hailing from Peking University stand out for their wide range of disciplinary skill and diversity, whether it be in age or gender. To date, the XPLORER PRIZE has been awarded to 23 Peking University professors.