Prizes and Awards

External Awards

Imperial has been invited to participate in the prizes and awards listed below. Please note that we are only able to submit nominations on behalf of those currently affiliated with Imperial.

If you are interested in nominating someone or being nominated, please send all required submission materials to Lara Breckon (l.breckon@imperial.ac.uk) by the VPRE Office deadline (listed below). 

If required, please follow the guidance for Letters of Support.

Information on Prizes and Awards

Award Categories

  • Physics and Mathematics: Those who have made outstanding achievements in the areas of physics, mathematics, and integrated sciences
  • Chemistry and Life Sciences: Those who have made outstanding achievements in the areas of chemistry, life sciences, and integrated sciences
  • Engineering: Those who have made outstanding achievements in the areas of engineering and technology
  • Medicine: Those who have made outstanding achievements in the areas of medicine and pharmacy
  • The Arts: Those who have made outstanding contributions to the arts through creative activities and exhibitions
  • Community Service: Those who have made outstanding achievements in the area of social service and contributed to the enhancement of public welfare

Prize

  • In principle, the Prize is awarded to one individual. However, if a work being recognised has been produced by multiple individuals, the Prize shall be awarded jointly.
  • The Prize in each category consists of a certificate, a gold medal, and 300 million Korean won (approximately 215,000 USD).

Candidate Qualifications & Accomplishments

  • Korean citizens or people of Korean heritage are eligible, except for the Community Service category, in which foreigners who have made significant contributions to Koreans at home and abroad may be nominated.
  • Candidates must be alive as of the deadline for nominations.
  • Accomplishments and accumulated expertise which have contributed to society in their respective fields, and accumulated expertise that has been highly evaluated socially.
  • Regarding eligibility for the Prize, certain restrictions may apply if a candidate's achievements are falsely stated, or if the candidate has violated research ethics or engaged in conduct that provokes controversy and breaches social norms.

Nominations materials

  • Complete Nomination Form
  • Candidate's CV
  • 1 Representative Paper and 5 Related Papers (Physics and Mathematics, Chemistry and Life Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine)

Further information can be found on the official Ho-Am Foundation website.

VPRE Office submission deadline: Monday 14th October 2024

Award Categories

  • Science Nominees: Nominees for the Albert Einstein World Award of Science should be eminent scientists whose achievements can serve as an inspiration for future generations. Considerations will be given to individuals or institutions in one of the Life Sciences, such as Neuroscience, Earth Science, Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine or Chemistry; or in one of the Natural Sciences such as Physics, Mathematics or Astronomy.
  • Education Nominees: A candidate for the José Vasconcelos World Award of Education should be a renowned educator, an authority in the field of teaching, or an individual who has promoted education policies. Through their work, the individual or team should have had a significant influence on the advancement of culture for humankind. The prize is awarded every second year.

Nominations materials

  • Nomination Letter: Official institution letterhead with stamp and signature.
  • Reference Letters: Two reference letters on official institution letterhead.
  • Resume: 1-2 pages outlining reasons for nomination and key achievements.
  • Curriculum Vitae: Maximum of three pages.
  • Papers: List of the candidate’s 10 most important papers.
  • List of Publications: Complete list of publications with titles translated into English.
  • Photograph: Recent, high-resolution (300 dpi or more) color photograph of the candidate.
  • Completed nomination form

Further information can be found on the official WCC website.

VPRE Office submission deadline: Tuesday 29th October 2024

We are also aware of the following open calls for nominations (there is no internal process for these awards) :

Internal Awards

 

The Sir Michael Uren Prize: celebrating excellence with the College’s most prestigious student prize.  

The prestigious Prize will be awarded annually and honour an outstanding postgraduate student whose research demonstrates real-world impact. This initiative aims to nurture exceptional research talent, acknowledge achievements, and commemorate Sir Michael’s enduring ties with the College. Presented at a College-wide level, the Prize will spotlight the transformative potential of work, prioritising societal impact over and across any specific disciplinary boundaries. 

Traditionally, departmental prizes at Imperial have recognised academic excellence, with numerous such accolades existing. These are an important recognition of academic excellence and typically honour individuals whose work stands out—for instance, achieving the highest exam score in their year or presenting the finest doctoral thesis in their field. While a few College-wide awards, like the Outstanding Student Achievement Award, exist, these primarily spotlight external activities and do not include a financial benefit for recipients. The Sir Michael Uren Prize is different, a perpetual College-wide award that celebrates both academic prowess and societal impact, providing a substantial financial award that can genuinely transform the recipient’s life and research. 

One of the core objectives of the Prize is to cultivate academic and impact potential. The financial award will allow the recipients the liberty to pursue their research interests and career aspirations, whether by extending their tenure at Imperial, innovating a prototype, engaging in a study period at another institution, or in some other way. For 23/24 we awarded one prize of £20,000.  

Past winners