"The question of how humans are affecting Earth's climate are going to become more and more important," he said. "This a huge challenge for everyone."
Although Schrag has not yet decided how to spend the money, he said increasing awareness of global issues is one of his main priorities.
"I want to spend it on something that will support the work I'm doing, but in a way that is somewhat unconventional--something I couldn't do with research money from the government or from Harvard," he said.
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Other recipients this year include a choreographer, a radio producer and a cartoonist.
Last year, Professor of Physics Juan M. Maldacena was a recipient.