Submissions open for the Buchanan Medal

The Buchanan Medal is an annual Royal Society award recognizing distinguished contributions to the biomedical sciences.

The medal includes a silver gilt medal and a £2,000 monetary gift, with nominations open internationally to eligible researchers and teams until 20 February 2026.

Overview

The Buchanan Medal is a prestigious annual award of the Royal Society that honors outstanding contributions to the biomedical sciences.

The award recognizes excellence across the full breadth of biomedical research, celebrating scientists whose work has significantly advanced knowledge, discovery, and impact in the field.

Purpose of the Buchanan Medal

The Buchanan Medal aims to acknowledge and promote exceptional scientific achievement in biomedical sciences.

By recognizing landmark contributions, the award highlights research that strengthens understanding of biological mechanisms relevant to human health and disease.

Award Details

The Buchanan Medal is awarded once each year.

The award includes:

• A silver gilt Buchanan Medal

• A monetary gift of £2,000

There are no restrictions on career stage, and both individual researchers and teams or groups may be nominated.

Who Is Eligible?

The Buchanan Medal is open to a broad range of nominees, provided they meet eligibility requirements.

Eligible nominees include:

• Citizens of the United Kingdom

• Citizens of the Commonwealth

• Citizens of the Republic of Ireland

• Individuals of any nationality who have been resident in the UK, Commonwealth, or Republic of Ireland for three or more years

There are no limits based on seniority, discipline within biomedical sciences, or career stage.

Nomination Eligibility Rules

To ensure fairness and independence in the selection process, certain restrictions apply.

Nominees and nominators must not be:

• Members of the Royal Society Council

• Members of the Premier Awards Committee

• Members of the relevant Buchanan Medal selection committees

Where an award is externally funded, nominees must not be employed by the funding organization.

Self-Nominations and Roll-Over Policy

Self-nominations are not accepted for most Royal Society medals, including the Buchanan Medal.

Unsuccessful nominations automatically roll over for up to three nomination cycles, unless eligibility changes.

Nominators may update their submissions during each nomination window while the nomination remains active.

How the Selection Process Works

After the nomination deadline, the Royal Society follows a structured, multi-stage evaluation process.

Stage 1: Committee Review and Scoring

Relevant selection committees review and score all eligible nominations within their remit.

Stage 2: Shortlisting and References

Shortlisted nominations are supported by independent references.

For most awards, shortlisted candidates are scored a second time before discussion at formal selection meetings held in the spring.

Stage 3: Final Approval

Following selection meetings:

• Recommendations for non-premier awards are submitted to the Premier Awards Committee

• Final approval is granted by the Royal Society Council at its July meeting

Royal Medal winners additionally require approval from His Majesty, typically received by the end of July.

Notification and Announcement Timeline

Successful nominees and their nominators are informed by email in July.

Public announcement of Buchanan Medal winners takes place in late August.

Royal Medal recipients and nominators are notified following His Majesty’s approval.

How to Submit a Nomination

All nominations must be submitted through the Royal Society Awards system.

Key submission details include:

• Online nomination form accessible via the Royal Society Awards system

• Ability to save progress and return before final submission

• No edits permitted once the nomination is formally submitted

Nominations open on the Royal Society’s Anniversary Day and close on 20 February 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

Common Nomination Tips

Clearly articulate the nominee’s distinguished contribution to biomedical science.

Demonstrate originality, long-term impact, and scientific excellence.

Ensure eligibility criteria and conflict-of-interest rules are carefully reviewed before submission.

Submit nominations well in advance of the deadline to allow time for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Buchanan Medal?

It is an annual Royal Society award recognizing distinguished contributions to the biomedical sciences.

What does the award include?

The award consists of a silver gilt medal and a £2,000 monetary gift.

Who can be nominated?

Individuals or teams who are UK, Commonwealth, or Republic of Ireland citizens, or who have been residents for at least three years, may be nominated.

Are self-nominations allowed?

No, self-nominations are not accepted for the Buchanan Medal.

How long do nominations remain valid?

Nominations remain valid for three nomination cycles and may be updated during each cycle.

When is the nomination deadline?

Nominations close on 20 February 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

When are winners announced?

Winners are notified in July, with public announcements made in late August.

Conclusion

The Buchanan Medal represents one of the Royal Society’s key honors in the biomedical sciences, recognizing exceptional scientific achievement with global impact.

By celebrating researchers and teams whose work advances understanding of health and disease, the medal continues to highlight excellence and innovation at the forefront of biomedical research.