The Dalton Emerging Researcher Prize is for inorganic research chemists within two years of completion of their PhD.
- Run annually
- The winner receives £3000, a medal and a certificate
- The winner will complete a UK lecture tour
- The winner will be chosen by the Dalton Prize Committee
2024 Winner
2024 Dalton Emerging Researcher Prize Winner
Dr Selena Lockyer, The University of Manchester
For synthetic and spectroscopic studies of molecular magnets, particularly supramolecular assemblies that could be used in quantum information processing.

Key Information
Deadlines
- Nominations open 15 October.
- Nominations close 14 January, 17:00 GMT.
- Reference deadline 21 January, 17:00 GMT.
Eligibility
Individuals named in any of the following roles during the nomination and judging period are not eligible to nominate, be nominated or provide a reference:
- Dalton Prize Committee members
- RSC Subject Community Presidents
- RSC Prize Committee members
- Trustees of the Royal Society of Chemistry
- Royal Society of Chemistry staff
Nominators:
- Only RSC members can nominate for this prize.
- Nominees may NOT nominate themselves.
Nominees:
- The prize is open to nominees working in the UK and Ireland only.
- Nominees should be within two years of completion of their PhD at the close of nominations (for further details, see information below and in the ‘Guidelines for Nominators’ section).
- Assessment for this prize will consider work completed during the nominee's PhD, and not more than 5 years after the PhD's start date.
- Nominees can only be considered for one of our Research & Innovation Prizes in any given year. In a case where a nominee is nominated for more than one prize independently, RSC staff will ask the nominee which prize they would like to be considered for.
- We will not consider nominations of deceased individuals.
Career stage guidance
- After fully taking account of any career breaks or interruptions, nominees will typically be within two years of completion of their PhD at the closing date for nominations.
- Nominators will be asked to provide details of the nominee's professional experience, in relation to the above criteria (see ‘Guidelines for Nominators’). The Prize Committee will consider this information in relation to the eligibility criteria, and they have the discretion to consider any nomination for a different prize under their remit.
- We particularly encourage nominations of disabled people, those who work part-time, or whose career has spanned a break for any reason – for example, a period of parental or adoption leave, caring responsibilities, long-term illness, family commitments, or other circumstances. We understand that these can impact a nominee’s career in different ways, and encourage nominators to use the space provided on the nomination form to explain the nature and impact of the nominees’ individual circumstances (see 'Guidelines for Nominators' for further details).
- Please do not hesitate to contact the team at awards@rsc.org should you have any questions about the above.
Re-thinking recognition: Science prizes for the modern world
This report is the result of an independent review of our recognition programmes. Our aim in commissioning this review was to ensure that our recognition portfolio continues to deliver the maximum impact for chemical scientists, chemistry and society.
Prizes
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