STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences says an annual science prize will be doubled from $6 million to $12 million, split between mathematics and astronomy.
The Crafoord Prize, one of the world's largest scientific prizes, is awarded by the academy in one of four science disciplines: astronomy and mathematics, geosciences, biosciences and the study of polyarthritis (rheumatoid arthritis).
The prize is awarded annually except for polyarthritis, which is awarded only when scientific progress in this field has been such that one is justified, the academy said in a release Tuesday.
The last time the Crafoord Prize in polyarthritis was awarded was in 2009.
The Crafoord Fund was established by Anna-Greta and Holger Crafoord in 1980, and the first prize was awarded in 1982.
The disciplines are chosen to complement those for which the Nobel Prize is awarded, the academy said.
This year's award will be announced Thursday.
