The Royal Society Athena Prize 2026
🏆 About The Royal Society Athena Prize
The Royal Society Athena Prize is a prestigious biennial award that celebrates teams whose work has significantly advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The prize recognizes collective leadership and sustained impact, highlighting initiatives that have strengthened inclusive cultures within academic and research communities and delivered demonstrable benefits across the wider STEM ecosystem.
🎁 Benefits of The Royal Society Athena Prize
- An official Athena Prize medal
- A £5,000 monetary gift
- Amplification of impactful initiatives and support for broader adoption of inclusive practices across STEM
- National and public visibility through the Royal Society’s communication channels
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for the Athena Prize 2026 is strictly defined:
Eligible Teams
- Teams working within UK academic or research communities
- Teams that have made a significant contribution to advancing diversity and inclusion in STEM
- Teams whose work has achieved national or wide regional impact
Team Structure Requirements
- Teams must be clearly defined
- All team members must be named in the nomination
- There is no limit on team size
- Eligible teams may include:
- University STEM departments or faculties
- Project or programme teams
- Teams leading a network (but not entire networks)
Who Is Not Eligible?
- Previous individual or team Athena Prize winners may not reapply
- Entire networks are not eligible as a single team
- Members of the Royal Society Council or Athena Prize judging panel cannot submit nominations
Note: Individuals who were part of a previous winning team may be included if they are now members of a different team. Previously unsuccessful applicants are eligible to reapply.
📅 Application Date and Process
Application Process
- One team member directly involved in the initiative submits the nomination.
- The nominator applies via the Royal Society Medals and Awards nomination dashboard.
- The nomination includes:
- Full contact details of the nominator
- Full details of the candidate team and all members
- A supporting statement explaining the team’s suitability for the Athena Prize
- Names and contact details of two referees
- Referees may be contacted by the Royal Society for additional supporting statements.
- The nomination must be submitted by 20 February 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
📌 Application Deadline
20 February, 2026
🌐 Application Portal
- View details of The Royal Society Athena Prize
- Apply for The Royal Society Athena Prize
This opportunity is an excellent way to recognize and amplify impactful initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in STEM. Don't miss the chance to apply!
- An official Athena Prize medal
- A £5,000 monetary gift
- This recognition helps amplify impactful initiatives and supports broader adoption of inclusive practices across STEM.
- National and public visibility through the Royal Society’s communication channels
