It is clear for everyone that to make a difference in today's science depends mostly upon the scientific idea or upon persistent practice of an idea. An independent investigator may have an idea leading to a revolutionary discovery; so might a fellow or a student, although he or she generally has a relatively small chance owing to inexperience.
The key element in choosing one who is eligible to get an award is to determine whose idea works or who insistently pursues the idea that has been given up by the original seeker. It is unfair or wrong to emphasize, especially with the current explosion of knowledge, that the students or fellows have no right to share a prize because they are dependent researchers, regardless of whether they were a real impetus in the discovery for which the award was issued. The person, no matter what level he or she is...
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