/ Medals and awards

Croonian Medal and Lecture

This prize lecture is the premier lecture in the biological sciences

  • Opening date

  • Closing date

  • Winners announcement

    Date subject to confirmation

The award

The Croonian Medal and Lecture is the premier lecture in the biological sciences. The lectureship was conceived by William Croone FRS (PDF), one of the original Fellows of the Society. Among the papers left on his death in 1684 were plans to endow two lectureships, one at the Royal Society and the other at the Royal College of Physicians. His widow later bequeathed the means to carry out the scheme. The lecture series began in 1738. The medal is of silver gilt, is awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £10,000. 

Eligibility

The Croonian medal and lecture is open to international citizens. It is restricted to senior scientists and nominations will remain valid and shall be considered by the award selection committee throughout three nomination cycles. Teams or groups may now be nominated for this award.

Nominations are closed

Nominations will reopen in November 2024.

2024 winner

  • Professor Edward Holmes

    Professor Edward Holmes

    The Croonian Medal and Lecture 2024 is awarded to Professor Edward Holmes for being a global authority on virus evolution and emergence, who played a key role in the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 and was the first to publicly release the genome sequence. Picture credit: Louise M Cooper, University of Sydney

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    Past winners

    • Edward Holmes
      Awarded in 2024

      Professor Edward Holmes FRS

      For being a global authority on virus evolution and emergence, who played a key role in the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 and was the first to publicly release the genome sequence.
    • Ottoline Leyser
      Awarded in 2023

      Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS

      For playing a central role in two of the most important discoveries regarding the nature and perception of plant hormones, and for her contributions to gender equality in science.
    • blank avatar
      Awarded in 2022

      Sir Stephen O'Rahilly FMedSci FRS and Professor Sadaf Farooqi FMedSci FRS

      For their seminal discoveries regarding the control of human body weight, resulting in novel diagnostics and therapies, which improve human health.
    • Barry Everitt
      Awarded in 2021

      Professor Barry Everitt FMedSci FRS

      Delivered lecture: 'Brain mechanisms of addictive behaviour'.