Awards, Medals and Prizes

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RAS

 

How to nominate for an Award, Medal or Prize

The Society presents several awards, medals and prizes as part of its remit to support and encourage scientists working in the fields of astronomy and geophysics. Some are aimed at young scientists, while others recognise many years of dedicated service to our sciences. Please note the Society encourages nominations that reflect diversity in our community.

Anyone can make a nomination.  It is not necessary to be a Fellow of the Society. All nominations are made in strict confidence; nominees should not be informed of submissions in order to avoid unnecessary disappointment. This does not apply to Education and Outreach Awards (see individual Award descriptions). Click on each Award, Medal or Prize for further information.   

Guidance for nominators:

Case for support

The panel would find it helpful if more general information on the nominee’s contributions to the community could be included in the case for support. For example, mentoring, public engagement work, leadership, committee/panel service, etc. The panel appreciates that such activity will vary according to the career stage of the nominee.

Curriculum Vitae

The CV should be no longer than 4 pages long.  If the CV is not in the public domain, please ensure that you have the nominee's permission to pass on to a third party. Please note that not all award nominations require CVs or publication lists. See particular awards pages for details.

Key Publications List

Please only list the top 10 publications. Please note that not all award nominations require CVs or publication lists. See particular awards pages for details.

Referees

Please ensure you have contacted the referees and that they agree to write a letter of support. They will receive an automated email from us once the nomination has been submitted. 

Lectureships

George Darwin Lecture

Gerald Whitrow Lecture

Harold Jeffreys Lecture

James Dungey Lecture

We would remind you that if you are nominating in this category the awards panels would like to see evidence that the nominee is an authoritative and engaging speaker. Where available please provide links to previous talks. 

 

Closing dates for awards:

Award Category

The Gold Medal is the highest award in the Society's gift, and the Byelaws leave the Council complete freedom as to the grounds on which it is awarded. However, in the past the Council has taken…

The Gold Medal is the highest award in the Society's gift, and the Byelaws leave the Council complete freedom as to the grounds on which it is awarded. However, in the past the Council has taken…

The Eddington Medal is awarded for investigations of outstanding merit in theoretical astrophysics. This medal is awarded for a single investigation, or a series of closely-linked investigations,…

The Chapman Medal is awarded for investigations of outstanding merit in the science of the Sun, space and planetary environments or solar-terrestrial physics. This medal is awarded for a single…

The Herschel Medal is awarded for investigations of outstanding merit in observational astrophysics. This medal is awarded for a single investigation, or a series of closely-linked investigations…

The Price Medal is awarded for single investigations or a series of closely-linked investigations of outstanding merit into the formation and composition of the Earth and/or…

The Jackson-Gwilt Medal is awarded for outstanding invention, improvement, or development of astronomical or geophysical instrumentation or techniques. This medal is awarded to individuals or…

The Agnes Mary Clerke Medal for Historical Research in Astronomy or Geophysics is awarded every three years to an individual who has achieved outstanding personal research into the history of…

The Fowler Award for early achievement in astronomy was established in 2004 through the generosity of Mrs Rosemary Fowler. The prize is awarded to individuals who have made a particularly…

The Early Career Award for early achievement in astronomy is for research by an individual in a UK institution whose career has shown the most promising development within five years of completing…