Deadline: January 27, 2020
Nominations for the Royal Society Athena Prize 2020 are now open. The Royal Society Athena Prize is awarded biennially (in even years) for teams working in UK academic and research communities, who have contributed most to the advancement of diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) within their communities.
The Royal Society is committed to promoting and increasing diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). A diverse and inclusive scientific workforce draws from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences thereby maximising innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. Their work on diversity in science includes addressing barriers to participation and success and actions to support and inspire change.
This prize aims to inspire innovation and leadership in STEM diversity issues. The Royal Society Athena Prize was established in 2016 and is provided by a gift to the Society.
Prize
- The recipients of the prize receive a medal and a gift of £5,000.
Eligibility
- To be eligible to apply, teams must be working in an academic or research community in the UK.
- Teams must be clearly defined on the application and the names of all team members must be specified. There is no limit on the size of the team that can apply.
- For the purposes of the Athena Prize, “team” includes University STEM departments and faculties. It also includes teams who have founded or are leading a network, but does not include all members of a particular network.
- Previous individual or team Athena Prize winners may not reapply. Individuals who had formerly been part of a winning Athena Prize team may be included if they are now part of a different team.
- Previously unsuccessful Athena Prize applicants may apply again.
- Members of the Council of the Royal Society, members of the Royal Society Diversity Committee, and members of the judging panel at the time the award is decided, will not be eligible for the Athena Prize.
- For the purposes of this Prize, ‘diversity’ is used in its broadest sense and includes (but is not limited to) projects or initiatives relating to gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, social background and religion/belief. Projects or initiatives may cover one or more of these areas.
- The nomination of a candidate team is made by a proposer (who may be an individual or an institution) via the Society’s online system and should include the names and contact details of two referees. Nominators should make the candidate team aware of their nomination. Self nomination is not acceptable.
Nomination
Nominations should include:
- Name of nominator. The nominator should be a senior stakeholder/supporter who has not been directly involved with the project/initiative. The nominator can be based within the same institution/organisation as the candidate team or in a partner institution/organisation.
- Full name and address of the candidate team.
- Supporting statement by the nominator to explain the suitability of the candidate team for the Athena Prize.
- Details of the project or initiative (this section to be completed by the candidate team).
- The names of two referees from whom further supporting statements could be sought.
- Nominators must not be members of the Council of the Royal Society, the Royal Society Diversity Committee or the Athena Prize judging panel
For more information, visit Royal Society Athena Prize.
