Nature Research Awards for Driving Global Impact

This information is subject to change due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and any resulting restrictions.

THE 2021 APPLICATION WINDOW HAS NOW CLOSED

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline for applications?

How do I apply?

When can I expect to hear if I have been successful?

Who can apply for the Driving Global Impact Award?

What are the prizes for the Award?

What do you mean by impact?

What do I need to include in my application?

What are the evaluation criteria?

How will applications be assessed?

My impacts are achieved through sharing outcomes with other academics. Does this count?

My research is still at an early stage and has no demonstrated outcomes. Does this matter?

I can’t calculate or predict what the potential impact on global challenges will be. Does this matter?

Why did Nature Research select these global challenges?

Can I nominate someone else for the award?

What is the aim of the awards?

Who can I contact for more information?

What is the deadline for applications?
Applications for the Driving Global Impact Award must be submitted between 11th January 2021 and 11.59 PM BST on 30th April 2021.

How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted through the online application form. Please ensure you have read the guidelines for applicants before beginning. Applications must be written in English and submitted between 11th January 2021 and 11.59 PM GMT on 30th April 2021.

When can I expect to hear if I have been successful?
We expect that all shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Summer 2021*. We cannot provide personal updates on all applications.

Who can apply for the Driving Global Impact Award?
The work done by teams from all fields of science and technology falls within the scope of this award.
Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD or clinical doctorate, awarded not earlier than 1st January 2006.
• Lead an independent research group established within the past 5 years as of 1st January 2021.
• Demonstrate the application, or potential application, of their research to make a positive impact on one of the global challenges.
• Dates may be adjusted in the case of maternity leave(s) or other formal leave(s) of absence taken before the application deadline to adjust for the duration of the leave taken.
• The reference date for calculation of the eligibility period should be the date of commencement of the first independent research project led by the team leader named in the application. In practice everyone who commenced such a position after  31st December 2015 is eligible. This period will be extended in the case of maternity leave(s) or other formal leave(s) of absences taken after the 1st January 2006 and before the application deadline with the duration of the leave taken.

What are the prizes for the Award?

Prizes will be awarded to one winner and two runners up.

• The winner will receive a grant of USD 30,000, coverage on nature.com and on the Award’s website.
• The two runners up will each receive a grant of USD 10,000 and coverage on nature.com and on the Award’s website.

Shortlisted applicants will also be announced and profiled on the Award’s website.

What do you mean by impact?
The award will recognize early and mid career researchers, whose work has made, or has the potential to make, a positive impact on the global challenges listed below:

• Food security, water security and/or energy security – ensuring a long term, sustainable supply of either food, water or energy.
• Healthcare interventions – the assessment, improvement or promotion of human health.
• Environmental protection – protection of the natural environment on land and water including the repair of damage.
• Climate change – slowing climate change and adapting to what’s unavoidable.
• Sustainable cities – building green, liveable cities that last.

What do I need to include in my application?
Applicants need to complete all sections of the online application form, which is available from the Award’s website.

As part of their application, applicants will be required to provide:

• Applicant’s details
• Eligibility details
• Scientific achievements
• Research programme and its potential for scientific impact
• Research programme and its potential for impact on the global challenges

What are the evaluation criteria?
Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Scientific achievements.
• Research programme and its potential for scientific impact.
• Research programme and its potential for impact on the global challenges.

Applications from developing and emerging STEM nations are highly encouraged so location will be taken into account during the evaluation process.

How will applications be assessed?
Applications will be assessed by our expert judging panel consisting of staff from Nature Research and independent experts. Panel members will review applications to create a shortlist. The full panel will then meet to discuss the merits of shortlisted applicants and select the winner and two runners up.

My impacts are achieved through sharing outcomes with other academics. Does this count?
Applicants for the Nature Research Awards for Driving Global Impact must be able to demonstrate the application, or potential application, of their research to make a positive impact on the global challenges.

We expect applicants’ research to make a significant contribution to the global challenges and that they will be communicating with, and disseminating their work to, relevant audiences. This should be demonstrated in the sections of the form on scientific achievements and research programme and its potential for scientific impact.  

The section on research programme and its potential for impact on global challenges should focus on users and beneficiaries of the research who are outside academia, (e.g., patients or the wider general public), and should not duplicate information provided in the previous sections of the form.

My research is still at an early stage and has no demonstrated outcomes. Does this matter?
We know that impacts can become evident at any stage in the research life cycle and beyond. Applicants for the Nature Research Awards for Driving Global Impact must be able to demonstrate the application, or potential application, of their research to make a positive impact on global challenges.

Applicants outlining the potential for impact, should include only what is reasonable and expected for their research.

Judges will be asked to take into account the career stage of the applicant alongside the diversity and variety of forms of impact, and timescales within which impacts might emerge as part of the evaluation process.

I can’t calculate or predict what the potential impact on global challenges will be. Does this matter?
We know that impacts can become evident at any stage in the research life cycle and beyond; however, applicants for the Nature Research Awards for Driving Global Impact must be able to demonstrate the application, or potential application, of their research to make a positive impact on global challenges.

When outlining the potential for impact, applicants should include only what is reasonable and expected for their research. The impact sections of the form are not designed to ask applicants to predict future benefits. The impact sections are intended to allow applicants to highlight, as appropriate for their research, the types of impact that they believe the research has the potential to achieve and the pathways to impact. The beneficiaries and impact outlined should be tailored, relevant and appropriate, given the specific nature and focus of the research programme.

Why did Nature Research select these global challenges?
As this is the first year of this topic, Nature Research wanted to focus on a smaller group of challenges with the possibility of being able to expand this in future years.

Can I nominate someone else for the award?
Applicants should self-apply for the award. However, if you know someone who is a promising applicant for the award you can recommend them to apply, via this form.

What is the aim of the awards?
The Nature Research Awards for Driving Global Impact celebrate early and mid career researchers, whose work has made, or has the potential to make, a positive impact on global challenges.

Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact us at awards@nature.com if you require any further information.

*Extended due to unforeseen delays