Upon his death in 1986, Rolf Schock left behind a considerable fortune. In his will, he stipulated that half of his estate should be used to fund four prizes in the fields of logic and philosophy, mathematics, visual arts and musical arts. The laureates would be proposed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.
The Rolf Schock Prizes are international prizes and are currently awarded every second year.
The Schock Foundation administers the donated funds and decides on the prizes based on the proposals from the academies. Symposia, exhibitions, and concerts are often organised by the academies in connection to the joint award ceremony in November.
The prize in logic and philosophyThis prize is awarded to an individual as recognition for one or multiple works within the field of logic and philosophy. The laureates are reviewed and proposed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
The prize in mathematicsThis prize is awarded to an individual as recognition for one or multiple works within the field of mathematics. It may be shared among several individuals if they have jointly authored one of the awarded works. The laureates are reviewed and proposed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
The prize in visual artsThe prize is awarded to a visual artist or architect, and the laureates are reviewed and proposed by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
The prize in musical artsThe prize is awarded to instrumentalists, singers, composers, or other individuals who, through their activities within or for any of the musical arts, are deemed to have significantly promoted them or a part of them. The laureates are reviewed and proposed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.