This award was first presented by the foundation VILLUM FONDEN in 1987, and is made every year to a Danish researcher in recognition of outstanding achievements in technical and scientific research. 27 researchers have received the award to date.

In 2009, to mark the centenary of the birth of Villum Kann Rasmussen, the foundation VILLUM FONDEN made the annual award twice. The first annual award was made to mathematician Eva B. Vedel Jensen, University of Aarhus, for her pioneering research in stereology, that is, techniques for obtaining a precise three-dimensional image of an object from two or one-dimensional observations. These groundbreaking techniques are vital aids in medicine, biology and materials research. They are used for example in studying the changes that occur in the brain in conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, alcoholism and schizophrenia.

Jan Oskar Jeppesen received the annual award for his work in producing large and complex organic molecules with unique properties. His work forms the basis for developing molecular machines, sensors and memories, which in turn form the basis for designing a new class of intelligent materials with a wide range of applications, e.g. in nanotechnology. Another example is the development of sensors to detect explosives.

The foundation has the specific objective of presenting Villum Kann Rasmussen's Annual Award for Technical Research. The foundation may also support large scientific, artistic, cultural and social projects.