European Astronomical Society 2025 Prizes

"The 2025 Jocelyn Bell Burnell Inspiration Medal is awarded to arXiv for its impact on astrophysical research thanks to the open, free and world-wide distribution of scientific articles...

In an era where astrophysical discoveries are transforming our understanding of the universe at an unprecedented pace, arXiv has become a critical tool for researchers worldwide. As the leading open-access preprint repository for physics, astronomy, and related disciplines, arXiv plays a fundamental role in ensuring that scientific knowledge is rapidly disseminated, openly accessible, and freely available to all. Since its launch in 1991, arXiv has revolutionised the way scientists share their research, eliminating the barriers imposed by costly journals and contributed significantly toward open access by providing free, unrestricted access to all users, ensuring that students, independent researchers, and scientists from institutions with limited funding can stay informed. This democratisation of knowledge permitted that researchers from different institutions and countries engage with the latest findings without financial barriers. By fundamentally changing how astronomical knowledge is shared, arXiv exemplifies the spirit of this medal, celebrating contributions that extend beyond traditional research to inspire and enable progress in astronomy and empower the global scientific community. The European Astronomical Society is pleased to award to arXiv the 2025 Jocelyn Bell Burnell Inspiration Medal, in particular for its impact on astrophysical research."