The Fields Medal is a prestigious award given to mathematicians under the age of 40 in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of mathematics. Established in 1936 by the Canadian mathematician John Charles Fields, the medal is often considered the highest honor a mathematician can receive, akin to the Nobel Prize in other disciplines. Awarded every four years, the Fields Medal aims to encourage young mathematicians and promote the importance of mathematics in society. Recipients are selected based on their contributions to various areas of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, and number theory.