Winners of the 2017 Breakthrough Prize -- the richest science awards in the world -- received their deserved recognition and rewards for achievements in Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics and Mathematics during ceremonies held in Silicon Valley on Dec. 4.

The winners were announced by Breakthrough Prize founders Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki, Yuri and Julia Milner, and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan.

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A combined total of $25 million was awarded at the gala ceremony hosted by Morgan Freeman. Each of the Breakthrough Prizes is worth $3 million, the largest individual monetary prize in science.

This year, seven of these prizes were awarded to nine individuals, along with a $3 million Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, which was split between three founders and more than a thousand members of the LIGO team.

In addition, three $100,000 New Horizons in Physics Prizes were awarded to six early-career physicists, and a further three $100,000 New Horizons in Mathematics Prizes were awarded to four young mathematicians.

And this year there were two winners of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, each receiving up to $400,000 in educational prizes for them, their teacher and their school.

Since its inception in 2012, the Breakthrough Prize has awarded close to $200 million to honor paradigm-shifting research in the fields of fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics.

 "There has never been a more important time to support science," said Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

"The 2017 Breakthrough Prize laureates represent the leaders in scientific research in physics, math and life sciences.  Their breakthroughs will unlock new possibilities and help make the world a better place for everyone."

The 2017 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences was awarded to Stephen J. Elledge (Harvard Medical School); Harry F. Noller (University of California, Santa Cruz); Roeland Nusse (Stanford University); Yoshinori Ohsumi (Tokyo Institute of Technology); Huda Yahya Zoghbi (Baylor College of Medicine).

The 2017 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics was awarded to Joseph Polchinski (University of California, Santa Barbara); Andrew Strominger (Harvard University); and Cumrun Vafa (Harvard University).

The 2017 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics was awarded to Jean Bourgain (Institute for Advanced Study).

New Horizons in Physics Prize awarded to Asimina Arvanitaki, Peter W. Graham, and Surjeet Rajendran; Simone Giombi and Xi Yin and Frans Pretorius

New Horizons in Mathematics Prize awarded to Mohammad Abouzaid, Hugo Duminil-Copin, and Benjamin Elias and Geordie Williamson.

Second Annual, International Breakthrough Junior Challenge Won by Female Students Antonella Masini, 18 (Peru) and Deanna See, 17 (Singapore).

2016 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, awarded in May to founders and team members of LIGO, awarded to Kip Thorne, Rainer Weiss and the family of Ronald Drever.

In addition, six New Horizons prizes - an annual prize of $100,000 each, recognizing the achievements of early-career physicists and mathematicians - were awarded.

The New Horizons in Physics Prize was awarded to:

*Asimina Arvanitaki (Perimeter Institute, Ontario), Peter W. Graham (Stanford University) and Surjeet Rajendran (University of California, Berkeley)

*Simone Giombi (Princeton University) and Xi Yin (Harvard)

*Frans Pretorius (Princeton University)

The New Horizons in Mathematics Prize was awarded to:

*Mohammed Abouzaid (Columbia University)

*Hugo Deuminil-Copin (Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques and University of Geneva)

*Benjamin Elias (University of Oregon) and Geordie Williamson (Kyoto University and University of Sydney)

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