About the Prize

Founded in 1988 (and previously known under various banners including the Royal Society Prize for Science Books, Aventis Prize and Rhône-Poulenc Prize, and most recently, The Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books), the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize has championed outstanding popular science writing for over 30 years. See all past winners.

The author of the winning book receives £25,000 and £2,500 is awarded to each of the five shortlisted books. The winner is announced at a special award ceremony in the autumn.   

Our sponsor

The 2021 Prize, will again be sponsored by Insight Investment, one of the UK's largest investment management companies.

Insight Investment supports the Science Book Prize because it celebrates the pursuit of original thinking and encourages ideas that challenge the status quo.

The ideas expressed in the books entered into the Science Book Prize have longevity and spark the imagination. The authors are always engaging and committed, qualities which are meaningful to young people considering careers in STEM subjects.

As one of the largest pension fund managers in the UK many of Insight's employees have educational backgrounds in mathematics and the sciences. We therefore seek to work with institutions that promote public awareness of these subjects and which also foster greater diversity within related careers for generations to come.

Prize timeline