RAS Award nominations for 2026 now open

The Royal Astronomical Society has officially opened the nomination period for its 2026 Awards, offering scientists, educators, and public outreach professionals the opportunity to be recognized for their exceptional contributions to astronomy and geophysics. Among the accolades available is the Society’s highest distinction, the Gold Medal, a prestigious award with more than two centuries of history. This honor has been bestowed upon some of the most renowned names in science, including Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. The Society's annual honors are meant to celebrate the entire spectrum of scientific work, from groundbreaking research to decades of devoted service in advancing the field. The awards also underscore the RAS’s ongoing commitment to fostering excellence, promoting diversity, and encouraging participation from all levels of the scientific community.

Photo credit: Royal Astronomical Society

RAS Award nominations for 2026 now open: Nominations for astronomy and geophysics excellence

The nomination window for most awards will close on 31 July 2025, with one exception, submissions for the Education and Outreach Awards are accepted until 26 September 2025. These later-deadline categories are unique in that nominees can be made aware of their submissions, unlike the other categories, where strict confidentiality is required to avoid disappointment if an award is not granted. Anyone is permitted to make a nomination, regardless of whether they are a Fellow of the RAS, ensuring that the process remains accessible and inclusive. All other award nominations must remain undisclosed to nominees, a measure that preserves the integrity and impartiality of the selection process.

In 2026, the Society will continue its long-standing tradition of recognizing a wide array of talents across various career stages and scientific disciplines. Some of the awards are tailored to young or emerging scientists, providing encouragement and visibility early in their careers. Others are designed to honor long-term dedication and leadership, acknowledging individuals who have spent decades in service to the scientific community. This balance ensures that excellence is recognized not just in new discoveries, but in enduring commitment and influence as well.

Several important changes have been introduced this year to enhance the evaluation process and further bolster the credibility of the awards. Notably, for both the Gold Medal and the Fowler Award, the RAS Awards Panel will now obtain two independent expert evaluations for each nominee. This represents a shift from the previous protocol, where nominators themselves were responsible for providing the names of two referees. The new system is designed to increase objectivity and transparency in the selection process. While evaluators do not need to be completely disconnected from the nominees, the panel will carefully consider any potential conflicts, including collaborative ties, and may also add its own choices to the pool of evaluators to ensure a well-rounded assessment.

In addition to procedural updates, there have been adjustments to the awards themselves. The Service Award in Astronomy has been renamed the Ian Robson Lifetime Achievement Award in Astronomy, in honor of Professor Ian Robson, a previous recipient who made a generous donation that doubled the award’s prize money from £500 to £1,000. The Service Award in Geophysics also saw its monetary prize increase to £1,000. These changes reflect a growing appreciation for those who have made a lasting impact on the community through tireless effort and leadership. The enhanced financial recognition serves not only as a reward but as a symbol of the value the Society places on lifetime contributions to the field.

The 2026 awards cycle will also include two infrequently bestowed honors: the Agnes Mary Clerke Medal for Historical Research in Astronomy or Geophysics and the Gerald Whitrow Lecture. The Clerke Medal is awarded every three years to an individual who has produced exceptional scholarly research into the history of astronomy or geophysics. The Gerald Whitrow Lecture, on the other hand, is given every two years and is awarded to an authoritative and engaging speaker on any aspect of cosmology, including its philosophical dimensions. For the latter, nominators are encouraged to submit evidence of the nominee’s communication skills, such as links to past lectures or presentations. These two awards highlight the RAS’s broader commitment to historical insight and public engagement, recognizing that the legacy and communication of science are as important as discovery itself.

Nomination guidelines are designed to make the process thorough, equitable, and manageable. A strong nomination includes a comprehensive case for support that goes beyond scientific output to include contributions such as mentoring, public engagement, and leadership roles. These elements help the Awards Panel form a complete picture of each nominee’s influence within the community. Nominators must also provide a Curriculum Vitae of no more than four pages, and where applicable, a list of the nominee’s top ten publications. The Society encourages nominators to ensure that if the CV is not publicly available, they have obtained the nominee's consent to share it. While not all awards require CVs or publication lists, those that do rely heavily on this documentation to make informed and balanced decisions.

RAS Awards 2026: How to nominate

Important Dates

• Main nominations deadline: 31 July 2025

• Education and Outreach Awards deadline: 26 September 2025

• Astronomy, Geophysics & Instrumentation Thesis Prizes: 31 January 2025 (for theses submitted the previous year)

• Patricia Tomkins Undergraduate Prize in Instrumentation: 31 May 2025

• Winners announced: January 2026
   

Who Can Nominate

• Anyone can submit a nomination

• Nominee does not need to be informed (except for Education and Outreach Awards)

• Nominator does not need to be a Fellow of the RAS
   

Major Awards

• Gold Medal (top honor; past winners include Einstein and Hawking)

• Fowler Award

• Ian Robson Lifetime Achievement Award in Astronomy (renamed and prize increased to £1,000)

• Service Award (G) (prize increased to £1,000)

• Agnes Mary Clerke Medal (every 3 years, for historical research in astronomy/geophysics)

• Gerald Whitrow Lecture (every 2 years, for engaging cosmology speakers)
   

Lectureships

• George Darwin Lecture

• Gerald Whitrow Lecture

• Harold Jeffreys Lecture

• James Dungey Lecture
   

Submission Requirements

• Case for support: Should include public engagement, mentoring, leadership, etc.

• Curriculum Vitae: Max 4 pages (must have nominee’s permission if not public)

• Key Publications List: Top 10 only (not required for all awards)

• Referees: Must agree in advance to write support letters (automated email sent after submission)
   

Changes for 2026

• Evaluation process: Awards Panel now selects 2 independent expert evaluators per nominee instead of relying on referees from nominators

• Service Award (A) renamed and prize doubled

• Expanded diversity focus: Encouragement of nominations reflecting community diversity
   

Confidentiality

• All nominations (except Education and Outreach) must be submitted in strict confidence
   

For awards that require references, nominators are responsible for contacting potential referees and securing their agreement to provide letters of support. Once the nomination has been submitted, referees will automatically receive an email request. These letters serve as critical endorsements and offer insight into the nominee’s qualifications, character, and scientific contributions. The emphasis on independent validation underscores the Society’s commitment to fairness and excellence in its award process.

Lectureships represent a special category within the RAS Awards, with several named lectureships being awarded periodically. These include the George Darwin Lecture, the Harold Jeffreys Lecture, the James Dungey Lecture, and the aforementioned Gerald Whitrow Lecture. These prestigious platforms give recipients the opportunity to share their expertise with both professional peers and the broader public. Nominations in this category must demonstrate the candidate's ability to captivate and inform audiences, a requirement that reflects the RAS’s goal of promoting not just scientific insight but also effective communication.

The Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society

Photo credit: Royal Astronomical Society

 

The RAS is also mindful of supporting early-career scientists and students. Prizes such as the Astronomy, Geophysics, and Instrumentation Thesis Awards are given to individuals who have recently completed outstanding doctoral work. These awards have a separate deadline of 31 January and apply to theses submitted the previous year. Additionally, the Patricia Tomkins Undergraduate Prize in Instrumentation, with a submission deadline of 31 May, recognizes exceptional undergraduate achievement and encourages continued excellence in technical innovation. These honors help build momentum in the careers of promising young scientists, providing both recognition and motivation at critical junctures.

Diversity and inclusion remain central to the RAS’s award strategy. The Society explicitly encourages nominations that reflect the diversity of the astronomy and geophysics communities. This commitment ensures that a wide range of voices and contributions are considered, helping to broaden representation and foster equity across the scientific landscape. Whether it’s through honoring groundbreaking research, acknowledging decades of service, or celebrating excellence in communication, the RAS Awards are a reflection of the community’s values and aspirations.

As the January 2026 announcement date draws nearer, the Society looks forward to celebrating those individuals who have shaped, inspired, and expanded our understanding of the universe. The full list of awards, eligibility criteria, and nomination instructions can be found on the RAS website. By opening the doors to nominations from anyone, regardless of institutional affiliation or membership status, the RAS continues to promote a culture of openness and excellence. The emphasis on confidentiality, fairness, and recognition at all career stages ensures that the process honors the true spirit of scientific achievement.

From its iconic Gold Medal to specialized prizes in outreach, instrumentation, and historical research, the Royal Astronomical Society’s awards program plays a vital role in encouraging innovation and excellence in astronomy and geophysics. The changes introduced for 2026 further strengthen the process, offering increased support for nominees and ensuring that every submission is evaluated thoroughly and equitably. As the scientific community begins preparing their submissions, the RAS stands ready to recognize the next generation of pioneers, educators, communicators, and leaders who continue to illuminate our understanding of the cosmos.

Professors James Binney (left) and Jonathan Tennyson (right) were awarded the Royal Astronomical Society Gold Medal for 2025

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