Francis Crick Medal and Lecture

The award

The Francis Crick Medal and Lecture is awarded annually in any field in the biological sciences. Preference is given to genetics, molecular biology and neurobiology, the general areas in which Francis Crick worked, and to fundamental theoretical work, which was the hallmark of Crick’s science.

The lectureship was endowed by Sydney Brenner FRS in memory of Francis Crick FRS, the co-discoverer of the structure of the DNA molecule. The first lecture was given in 2003.  The medal is of bronze, is awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £2,000.

Eligibility

The Francis Crick medal and lecture is open to UK/Commonwealth/Irish Republic citizens or those who have been residents for three or more years. It is restricted to early career scientists with no more than 15 years since (not including career breaks) achieving their PhD 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

Nominations are now closed and will reopen in November 2022.

Past winners

Dr Serena Nik-Zainal was awarded the Francis Crick Medal and Lecture 2022 for enormous contributions to understanding the aetiology of cancers by her analyses of mutation signatures in cancer genomes, which is now being applied to cancer therapy.

Dr Marta Zlatic was awarded the Francis Crick Medal and Lecture in 2021 and presented her lecture How we learn, predict and decide: the circuit basis of behaviour.

Dr Gregory Jefferis was awarded the Francis Crick Medal in 2019 and presented his lecture Love, smell and memory: exploring the brain circuits for learned and innate behaviour. 

See full list of all past winners of the Francis Crick Medal and Lecture.