Entries open for Royal Society Athena Prize (UK)

Deadline: 20-Feb-2026

The Royal Society Athena Prize 2026 recognises UK-based academic and research teams that have made outstanding, sustained contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion in STEM. The biennial prize awards a medal and £5,000 to teams demonstrating leadership, impact, innovation, and transferable good practice at a national or wide regional level. Nominations close on 20 February 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

Recognising Excellence in Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

Overview of the 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 recognises 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.

Key Prize Details

• Awarding body: The Royal Society

• Prize name: Royal Society Athena Prize

• Award cycle: Biennial

• Eligible location: United Kingdom

• Eligible sector: Academic and research communities

• Prize value: £5,000 gift plus a medal

• Additional benefit: Promotion through Royal Society communication channels

• Nomination deadline: 20 February 2026 at 23:59 (GMT)

Purpose and Objectives of the Prize

The Athena Prize aims to:

• Recognise excellence and leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion in STEM

• Celebrate team-based initiatives with lasting, systemic impact

• Promote good practice that benefits a broad STEM community

• Encourage innovation and cultural change within STEM institutions

Diversity is defined in its broadest and most inclusive sense, encompassing gender, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic background, and other under-represented identities.

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

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.

What the Prize Recipients Receive

Winning teams receive:

• An official Athena Prize medal

• A £5,000 monetary gift

• National and public visibility through the Royal Society’s communication channels

This recognition helps amplify impactful initiatives and supports broader adoption of inclusive practices across STEM.

What the Judging Panel Looks For

The Athena Prize judging panel evaluates nominations based on multiple criteria.

Key Assessment Criteria

• Demonstrable impact on diversity and inclusion culture

• Evidence of concrete and measurable change

• Sustainability and long-term influence of the initiative

• Breadth of reach across institutions, regions, or disciplines

• Innovation and inspirational leadership

• Transferability of the initiative to other STEM organisations

The panel focuses on outcomes and influence, not only intent or activity.

Why the Athena Prize Matters

Systemic barriers continue to limit participation and progression in STEM. The Athena Prize plays a critical role by:

• Highlighting effective, evidence-based inclusion initiatives

• Encouraging institutional accountability and leadership

• Promoting scalable solutions across the STEM sector

• Validating team-based approaches to cultural change

The prize helps embed diversity and inclusion as core components of research excellence.

How to Apply: Nomination Process

Applications are made through self-nomination.

Step-by-Step Nomination Process

1. One team member directly involved in the initiative submits the nomination.

2. The nominator applies via the Royal Society Medals and Awards nomination dashboard.

3. 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

4. Referees may be contacted by the Royal Society for additional supporting statements.

5. The nomination must be submitted by 20 February 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting an application from an ineligible organisation or country

• Failing to clearly define the team and its membership

• Describing activities without demonstrating measurable impact

• Omitting evidence of sustainability or wider reach

• Missing the submission deadline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can submit a nomination?

A team member directly involved in the initiative may submit the nomination, provided they are not a member of the Royal Society Council or the judging panel.

Is there a limit on team size?

No. There is no maximum team size, provided the team is clearly defined.

Can previous winners apply again?

No. Previous individual or team Athena Prize winners may not reapply, but individuals may be included if they are now part of a different team.

What types of initiatives are eligible?

Initiatives that advance diversity and inclusion in STEM and demonstrate sustained, transferable impact at a national or wide regional level.

How often is the Athena Prize awarded?

The prize is awarded biennially, subject to the judgement of the judging panel.

What happens if no suitable nomination is identified?

If no suitable candidate is found, the prize will not be awarded in 2026 and nominations will reopen in November 2027.

Is diversity narrowly defined?

No. Diversity is defined broadly and inclusively across multiple dimensions.

Key Deadline

All nominations for the Royal Society Athena Prize 2026 must be submitted by 20 February 2026 at 23:59 (GMT).

Conclusion

The Royal Society Athena Prize 2026 honours teams that have driven meaningful, lasting change in diversity and inclusion across the UK STEM landscape. By recognising innovation, leadership, and transferable impact, the prize elevates best practice and inspires institutions to embed inclusive excellence at the heart of scientific and research culture.

For more information, visit The Royal Society.