Awards

What is the Royal Society’s medals and awards programme?

The Royal Society’s prestigious medals and awards programme recognises and celebrates outstanding contributions to science from individuals and teams. The winners are announced each summer and celebrated throughout the year at the Royal Society. Around 30 medals and awards are presented each year, celebrating excellence across a wide range of scientific research areas and roles. Several of the awards are accompanied by a prize lecture.

The Copley Medal was first awarded in 1731 and is thought to be the world’s oldest scientific prize.

Nominations guidance

See more information about how to nominate an individual or team for an award and the timeline for nominations.

Find out more

See all awards

Explore all of the medals and awards presented by the Royal Society.

View all awards

Nominations are now open

Nominate an individual or team for a Royal Society award, medal or prize.

Royal Society medal, award and prize winners

See profiles of the recipients of all scientific awards, medals and prizes awarded by the Royal Society in 2022.

Premier awards

Explore the most prestigious medals and awards presented by the Royal Society.