Inspiration. Recognition. Prestige.
For over 150 years our prizes and awards have recognised the outstanding work happening in every corner of the scientific community.
Our 2020 prizes and awards are your chance to raise awareness of individuals and teams making a positive impact for the chemical sciences. If you’d like to nominate someone but need some help with the process or working out which award to nominate them for, then get in touch.
Our previous winners have come from a vast range of specialisms, backgrounds, countries and communities but all have demonstrated passion, excellence and dedication deserving of recognition and reward.
There are over 60 prizes and awards that you could nominate for, reflecting the broad scope of achievement in our community.
We have made more changes this year to support your nominations:
- It’s now possible to self-nominate for all of our team awards
- We have extended the eligibility guidelines for our Corday-Morgan Prizes to widen the window of recognition for mid-career researchers
- The Peter Day Award is open to researchers working in any area of materials chemistry, and no longer alternates between those specialising in the broad areas of soft matter and continuous lattice solids
- As part of the nomination process, nominators are asked to confirm that to the best of their knowledge, there is no confirmed or potential impediment to their nominee receiving an RSC prize or award related to their professional standing
Make your nomination by 5pm (UK time) 15 January 2020. Some awards require nominators to be Royal Society of Chemistry members.
Go to open awards
Read nomination guidance
“The additional focus of this award on the importance of science communication emphasizes one of my core values as a chemist and inspires me to continue to value the skill of storytelling whenever I have an opportunity to share my group’s work with the general public.”
Christy Haynes Theophilus Redwood Award 2018
“I was happy simply being nominated as it emphasised just how much my fellow team members appreciate and value the work I do; to get the recognition from the award itself is even more prestigious.”
William Ashworth Chemical Sciences Apprentice of the Year 2019
“I am especially proud to be recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry at a time when it is working so strenuously to promote inclusion in all aspects of its work. I hope the award will enable my work to have still greater impact in the future and to reach new audiences.”
Jane Essex Inclusion and Diversity Prize 2019
In the spotlight this year:
Ronald Belcher Award
Awarded to a current postgraduate student for work on an analytical topic.
Lord Lewis Prize
Established in 2008, this prize recognises distinctive achievements in both chemistry and the advancement of science policy.
George & Christine Sosnovsky Award in Cancer Therapy
Recognises outstanding achievement in the prevention, control and cure of cancers using chemotherapy.
Barrer Award
Recognising meritorious work in the field of porous inorganic materials, this award pays tribute to Richard Maling Barrer, the founding father of zeolite chemistry.
Sustainable Water Award
A biennial award recognising the role that chemical science and technology solutions have to play in improving water sustainability.
Inspiration and Industry Award
An award that recognises the impact of an individual or team’s promotion of science and STEM careers on their local or national community.
Supramolecular Chemistry Award
First presented in 2001, this award is given to an individual whose work has led to the design of functionally useful supramolecular species.
Higher Education Technical Excellence Award
A prize for inspirational individuals or teams demonstrating an exceptional contribution to technical support within Higher Education.
Dalton Emerging Researcher Award
Presented to an individual who has recently completed their PhD to recognise innovative, original and high quality research in inorganic chemistry.
Go to all open awards
Nominations for our 2020 Prizes and Awards are open from 1 October until 15 January 2020.
- Before making a nomination for a prize or award, find out more on its webpage. Some nominations require references.
- Anyone is eligible for nomination, but some awards do require you to be a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry to submit an entry. Find full details on the award page.
- If you nominate you will also need to confirm that, to the best of your knowledge, there is no confirmed or potential impediment to your nominee receiving a prize or award related to their professional standing.
- Please make your nominations by 5 pm (UK time) 15 January 2020.
Am I eligible to be nominated?
You do not have to be a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry to be nominated for the majority of our prizes and awards. Some awards have restrictions such as by location or career stage. Please check the individual awards or download the spreadsheet to filter by eligibility criteria.
Am I eligible to nominate?
For 15 of our prizes and awards, anyone can nominate, whether or not you are a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. For the other prizes and awards you do have to be a member, but there are no other restrictions. Whether you an early career researcher, retired, or working in another field entirely, you can still nominate. Please check the individual awards or download the spreadsheet to filter by eligibility criteria.
Anne Bennett Memorial Award for Distinguished Service
The Anne Bennett Memorial Award for Distinguished Service recognises exceptional voluntary services over a period of years to the RSC Analytical Division.
Applied Inorganic Chemistry Award
The Applied Inorganic Chemistry Award is for outstanding contributions to the development of any branch of inorganic chemistry which has an application in industry.
Award for Exceptional Service
Our Awards for Exceptional Service recognise exceptional volunteering activity in service to the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Bader Award
The Bader Award recognises eminence in organic chemistry, which has not previously been rewarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Barrer Award
The Barrer Award recognises excellent pure or applied work in the field of porous inorganic materials. For more information on nominations, past winners, or selection criteria, see the Barrer Award page.
Bioinorganic Chemistry Award
The Bioinorganic Chemistry Award recognises outstanding research in any aspect of bioinorganic chemistry.
Bourke Award
The Bourke Award enables distinguished scientists from overseas to lecture in the UK in the field of physical chemistry or chemical physics.
Catalysis in Organic Chemistry Award
The Catalysis in Organic Chemistry Award is for the discovery or development of any catalytic process that has applications in organic chemistry. For more information on nominations, past winners, or selection criteria, see the Catalysis in Organic Chemistry Award page.
Centenary Prizes
The Centenary Prizes are awarded to outstanding chemists, who are also exceptional communicators, from overseas to give lectures in the British Isles.
Charles Rees Award
The Charles Rees Award is to reward excellence in the field of heterocyclic chemistry, including the synthesis, properties and applications of all types of heterocyclic compounds. For more information on nominations, past winners, or selection criteria, see the Charles Rees Award page.
Chemical Dynamics Award
The Chemical Dynamics Award is for outstanding innovative research on the dynamics of molecules, including spectroscopy, kinetics or molecular interactions in the gas, liquid or solid phase.
Chemical Sciences Apprentice of the Year
The Chemical Sciences Apprentice of the Year is given in recognition of outstanding contribution made by an apprentice working in the chemical sciences sector.
Chemistry of Transition Metals Award
The Chemistry of the Transition Metals Award recognises outstanding research in any aspect of the chemistry of d- and f-block elements. For more information on nominations, past winners, or selection criteria, see the Chemistry of the Transition Metals Award page.
Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year is given to individuals who demonstrated creativity and vision, driving chemistry innovation to commercial success for their business.
Corday-Morgan Prizes
The Corday-Morgan Prizes are awarded for the most meritorious contributions to chemistry.
Dalton Emerging Researcher Award
The Dalton Emerging Researcher Award is for inorganic research chemists within two years completion of their PhD.
Education Award
The Education Award recognises a major high level contribution to education in the chemical sciences, over a sustained period of time. For more information on nominations, past winners, or selection criteria, see the Education Award page.
Faraday Division open award: Faraday Lectureship Prize
The Faraday Lectureship Prize is awarded for outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences in the area of physical chemistry.
George and Christine Sosnovsky Award in Cancer Therapy
The George and Christine Sosnovsky Award in Cancer Therapy recognises outstanding accomplishments in the prevention, control and cure of cancers using chemotherapy, including gene and immunotherapy. For more information see the George and Christine Sosnovsky Award in Cancer Therapy page.
Gibson-Fawcett Award
The Gibson-Fawcett Award is to recognise original and independent contributions to materials chemistry. For more information, see the Gibson-Fawcett Award page.
Green Chemistry Award
The Green Chemistry Award is for the design, development or implementation of novel chemical products or processes which have the potential to reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. For more information see the Green Chemistry Award page.
Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prizes
The Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prizes are awarded for the most meritorious and promising original investigations in chemistry and published results of those investigations.
Organic Division early career award: Hickinbottom Award
The Hickinbottom Award is for the most meritorious contributions to any area of organic chemistry made by an early career scientist.
Higher Education Teaching Award
The Higher Education Teaching Award recognises outstanding teaching skills as well as development of innovative materials or methods in higher education, resulting in a strong impact on students.
Higher Education Technical Excellence Award
The Higher Education Technical Excellence Award (formerly the Higher Education Technician of the Year) is for individuals or teams demonstrating exceptional contributions to technical support within the Higher Education sector.
Industrial Analytical Science Award
The Industrial Analytical Science Award recognises the work of industrial analytical scientists and is given for outstanding contribution to analytical technology or methodology in industry.
Industry-Academia Collaboration Award
The Industry-Academia Collaboration Award recognises outstanding examples of teamwork in promoting innovation through industry-academia partnerships.
Industry-Academia Collaboration Award
The Industry-Academia Collaboration Award recognises outstanding examples of teamwork in promoting innovation through industry-academia partnerships.
Industry Technician of the Year
The Industry Technician of the Year award is given in recognition of outstanding contribution made by an individual in a technical role, in industry.
Inspiration and Industry Award
The Inspiration and Industry Award award is given in recognition of an individual's or team's impact on the local or national community in relation to the promotion of science and STEM careers.
Inspirational Member and Committee Award
The Royal Society of Chemistry Inspirational Member Award and Inspirational Committee Award recognise the efforts of members and committees supporting our community through member-led activities.
Interdisciplinary Prizes
The Interdisciplinary Prizes are awarded for work at the interface between chemistry and other disciplines.
Jeremy Knowles Award
The Jeremy Knowles Award is to recognise and promote the importance of inter- and multidisciplinary research between chemistry and the life sciences.
John Jeyes Award
The John Jeyes Award is for contributions of chemical sciences to equitable water supply.
Joseph Black Award
The Joseph Black Award is for a young scientist in any field covering the practice and teaching of analytical science.
Joseph Chatt Award
The Joseph Chatt Award is for outstanding multidisciplinary research in the areas which span inorganic chemistry and biochemistry. For more information, see the Joseph Chatt Award page.
Khorana Prize
The Khorana Prize recognises outstanding achievement in research at the chemistry and life science interface. For more information, see the Khorana Prize page.
Lord Lewis Prize
The Lord Lewis Prize is for distinctive and distinguished chemical or scientific achievements, together with significant contributions to the development of science policy. For more information, please visit the Lord Lewis Prize page.
Ludwig Mond Award
The Ludwig Mond Award is for outstanding research in any aspect of inorganic chemistry.
Main Group Chemistry Award
The Main Group Chemistry Award recognises outstanding research in any aspect of the chemistry of the s and p block elements. For more information please visit the Main Group Chemistry Award page.
Marlow Award
The Marlow Award is in recognition of the most meritorious contributions to physical chemistry or chemical physics.
Organic Division mid-career award: Merck, Sharp & Dohme Award
The Merck, Sharp & Dohme Award is for the most meritorious contributions to any area of organic chemistry made by a mid-career scientist.
Natural Product Chemistry Award
The Natural Product Chemistry Award is for studies of the chemistry of natural products. For more information on nominations, past winners, or selection criteria, see the Natural Product Chemistry Award page.
Norman Heatley Award
The Norman Heatley Award is to recognise and promote the importance of inter- and multidisciplinary research between chemistry and the life sciences through independent work.
Nyholm Prize for Inorganic Chemistry
The Nyholm Prize for Inorganic Chemistry is awarded for outstanding contributions to inorganic chemistry. For more information please see the Nyholm Prize for Inorganic Chemistry page.
Organic Division open award: Pedler Award
The Pedler Award is awarded for outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences in the area of organic chemistry.
Materials Chemistry Division mid-career award: Peter Day Award
The Peter Day Award is for the most meritorious contributions made by a mid-career scientist in any area of materials chemistry.
Rising Star in Industry Award
The Rising Star in Industry Award recognises individuals who have created significant impact in the chemical industry, in the early stages of their careers.
Rita and John Cornforth Award
The Rita and John Cornforth Award rewards scientists working in collaborative research teams between the chemistry and life sciences disciplines.
Robert Boyle Prize for Analytical Science
The Robert Boyle Prize for Analytical Science is awarded for outstanding contributions to analytical science. For more information please see the Robert Boyle Prize for Analytical Science page.
Robert Robinson Award
The Robert Robinson Award is for contributions to organic chemistry from a researcher over the age of 55. For more information, please see the Robert Robinson Award page.
Ronald Belcher Award
The Ronald Belcher Award is given for work on an analytical topic, by a graduate of a British or Irish university.
Royal Society of Chemistry-Société Chimique de France Lectureship in Chemical Sciences
The Royal Society of Chemistry-Société Chimique de France Lectureship in Chemical Sciences is a reciprocal lectureship awarded alternately by the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Société Chimique de France (SCF), for advances in chemistry made by a scientist while working and residing in France or the UK, respectively, please see the Royal Society of Chemistry-Société Chimique de France Lectureship in Chemical Sciences page
Schools Education Award
The Schools Education Award is presented to a teacher or team who has demonstrated an exceptional ability to teach chemistry and inspire students at any pre-university level, either over a prolonged period of time or by making a large impact in a short period of time.
Sir Derek Barton Gold Medal
The Sir Derek Barton Gold Medal recognises work in any area of organic chemistry. For more information please see the Sir Derek Barton Gold Medal page.
Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson Award
The Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson Award is for outstanding contributions to pure or applied research in the field of organometallic chemistry. For more information on nominations, past winners, or selection criteria, see the Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson Award page.
Soft Matter and Biophysical Chemistry Award
The Soft Matter and Biophysical Chemistry Award is for outstanding and innovative research in soft condensed matter or the application of physicochemical techniques to biological problems.
Stephanie L Kwolek Award
The Stephanie L Kwolek Award is to recognise exceptional contributions to the area of materials chemistry from a scientist working outside the UK. Please see the Stephanie L Kwolek Award page for more information.
Supramolecular Chemistry Award
The Supramolecular Chemistry Award recognises studies leading to the design of functionally useful supramolecular species. Please see the Supramolecular Chemistry Award page for more information.
Surfaces and Interfaces Award
The Surfaces and Interfaces Award is for outstanding and innovative research on the behaviour of chemical systems at surfaces or interfaces.
Sustainable Water Award
The Sustainable Water Award is for the contributions of chemical sciences to equitable water supply. For more information please see the Sustainable Water Award page.
Theophilus Redwood Award
The Theophilus Redwood Award is given to a leading analytical scientist who is also an outstanding communicator.
Tilden Prizes
Founded in 1939, the Tilden Prizes are awarded for advances in chemistry.
Over the years I have been involved in several nominations – my first as a young senior lecturer – and there is great satisfaction in seeing someone you nominate being successful. You can help a fellow chemist and that has to be worth doing.
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