Deadline: March 31, 2026
Applications are open for the Royal Society Biology Letters Early Career Researcher Competition 2026. Biology Letters has been a home for quality research since 2005. In that time they have cultivated great relationships with scientists from across the world and at different stages in their career.
This is especially true for early career researchers (ECR) who may be starting to submit their studies for publication the first time. With this in mind, they launched the inaugural Biology Letters Early Career Researcher Competition in 2022 to highlight the best research papers published in the journal by ECRs.
Benefits
- The overall winner will receive £1,000 and two runners-up will receive £500 each (or currency equivalent).
Eligibility
- Open to all early career researchers (ECRs) as defined as someone who has completed a postgraduate degree within the last six years. Employees of the Royal Society, their families, agents or any third party directly associated with administration of the award are not eligible.
- In entering the competition, you confirm that you are eligible to do so and eligible to claim any prize you may win. The Royal Society may require you to provide proof that you are eligible to enter the competition.
- The Royal Society reserves all rights to disqualify you if your conduct is contrary to the spirit or intention of the competition.
- Only original research manuscripts submitted to Biology Letters are eligible to enter the competition.
Application
- Submit your research article to the journal in the normal way here – the usual journal criteria, terms and conditions apply.
- To be considered for the competition, the eligible manuscript must be submitted between the dates of Monday 12 January 2026 and Tuesday 31 March 2026 (23:59 BST). Resubmissions of eligible manuscripts can only be considered if they are resubmitted before the 31 March closing date. You will need to opt into the competition by checking the appropriate box on the submission system (this is subject to acceptance to publication by the journal). Also include your cover letter that this is to be considered as an entry to the competition.
- The competition is free to enter and no purchase is necessary.
- If you enter the competition you are agreeing to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you have any questions, contact [email protected].
- Royal Society reserves the right to refuse entry or refuse to award the prize to anyone in breach of these terms and conditions.
For more information, visit Biology Letters Early Career Researcher Competition.
