The prize foundation announced the communication and humanities award Thursday praising the Society for combining “its role as an investigating institute with that of an exchange center for knowledge to benefit humanity.”

The Society was founded in 1660. It describes itself as a fellowship of the world’s most eminent scientists and the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

The award is one of eight handed out each year by the foundation. They range from the arts and humanities to scientific research.

The awards are named after Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe.