An "award" given to people who contribute the most to the evolution of humanity by removing their genes from the gene pool. Sometimes given to people who simply sterilize themselves, but most of the recipiants have ended up dead because of their actions.

Basically, the concept is that people kill/injure themselves to the point where reproduction is no longer possible whilst doing something surrealistically stupid. By insuring that their stupid genes to not spread, they ultimately help humanity and thus recieve an award.

While the concept is funny enough, the actual awards are usually very mean spirited.

The Darwin Award is a fictional award which is given out to people who commit acts of utter stupidity that often involve their own injury or even death. The name is derived from Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution (survival of the fittest), since the winners of the Darwin award aren't expected to survive long enough or remain capable of propagating their own hereditary stupidity. Some people attempt to win the Darwin award, however this is risky since if you don't get first place, you're just a dumbass with nothing to show for it but a hefty hospital bill and possibly funeral costs.

The famous canoeist from Hartlepool who faked his death for insurance purposes, whos name is now used in humourous phrases.
He is the reason why the area of Hartelpool, Seaton Carew is now known as "Seaton Canoe".

A metal fish decal that parodies the christian jesus fish that lots of people put on the back of their cars. It says 'DARWIN' inside the body of the fish and has feet, symbolizing the evolution of the species. Sometimes these fish have other things inside them, like the word 'Evolve'.

Curve on San Francisco Bay Bridge at Yerba Buena Island fitted in late 2009 which challenges the 200 thousand plus daily drivers with Darwins Law of "natural selection".

An English Naturalist who was the author of “Origin of Species” as well as several other books. Charles Darwin revolutionized biology with the scientific theory of evolution. Evolution is Descent with modification. Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, as a result of natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, and resulting in the development of new species. This is a scientific fact and the theory of evolution has never been disproved much as some would like to see that happen.

For some reason this inspires great hostility among people who have obviously never read or done research on evolution. (As evidenced by the questions about why are there still apes. Answer: Evolution isn’t a ladder, it more like a tree that has many branches. Humans didn’t evolve from modern day apes such as chimpanzees… humans and chimps have a common ancestor. The descendents of that common ancestor split off into different species over millions of years. )

an award given to somebody who dies or steralizes themselves in a manner that is so stupid and reckless, they actually improve humanity's gene poll by removing themselves from it.