For further information, please see our nomination guidance page or contact the Awards Team.
The Royal Society awards that are open for nominations from 1 December 2025 to 20 February 2026 are:
Premier awards
Copley Medal
The world's oldest scientific prize will be awarded for sustained, outstanding achievements in any field of biological sciences. Open to international nominations.
Croonian Medal and Lecture
The premier lecture in biological sciences. Open to international nominations.
Bakerian Medal and Lecture
The premier lecture in physical sciences. Open to international nominations.
Royal Medals
For outstanding achievements in the biological, physical and applied sciences.
Physical awards
Davy Medal
For outstanding contributions in the field of chemistry.
Hughes Medal
For outstanding contributions in the field of energy.
Royal Society Milner Award
For outstanding achievement in computer science by a European researcher.
Rumford Medal
For outstanding contributions in the field of physics.
Sylvester Medal
For outstanding contributions in the field of mathematics.
Biological awards
Buchanan Medal
For distinguished contributions to the biomedical sciences.
Darwin Medal
For work of distinction in evolution, biological diversity and developmental, population and organismal biology.
Ferrier Medal and Lecture
On a subject related to the advancement of natural knowledge on the structure and function of the nervous system.
Francis Crick Medal and Lecture
For any field in the biological sciences. Preference is given to genetics, molecular biology and neurobiology, the general areas in which Francis Crick worked, and to fundamental theoretical work, which was the hallmark of Crick’s science.
Interdisciplinary awards and those celebrating the communication of science
Royal Society Africa Prize
To recognise research scientists based in Africa who are making an innovative contribution to the biological or physical sciences which contributes significantly to capacity building in Africa.
Royal Society Armourers and Brasiers’ Company Prize
For excellence in basic research in functional or structural materials where the research is clearly motivated by use of these materials.
Royal Society Athena Prize
For individuals or teams working in UK academic and research communities, who have contributed most to the advancement of diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) within their communities.
Royal Society David Attenborough Award and Lecture
For outstanding and sustained public engagement with science.
Gabor Medal
For distinction of interdisciplinary work between the life sciences with other disciplines.
Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture
To the scientist or engineer whose expertise in communicating scientific ideas in lay terms is exemplary.
Rosalind Franklin Award
To an individual with an established track record of very high standing in any area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for their project to support the promotion of women in STEM.
Royal Society Mullard Award
For individuals or teams whose work has the potential to make a contribution to national prosperity.
Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal and Lecture
Given on a subject relating to the history of science, philosophy of science or the social function of science.
Royal Society Hauksbee Award
For outstanding achievements in science to an individual or team whose work is mostly ‘behind the scenes’ or in support, including technicians, research office staff or other contributors who might not normally be recognised.
Royal Society Research Culture Award
For outstanding and sustained work in the improvement of the research system/research culture.
Royal Society Environment Medal and Lecture
For outstanding and sustained work in the field of environmental science.
