Of all the activities that take place in the lab, perhaps the least remarked and the least rewarded is that of the mentorship of young researchers.

True, some labs are well known for the stream of outstanding scientists that have emerged to go on to do great things. Some of these have leading individuals who have devoted much thought and effort to nurturing young researchers. But it is not often that their efforts are recognized.

Good young scientists might not need conscious mentoring; they may be stimulated or inspired simply by day-to-day interaction with a more experienced researcher — or one who is complementary in his or her thinking. But even the most independent-minded young tyros can benefit from advice from time to time, whether on lab practice or in channeling their energies. Others might need some systematic attention from a lab head to achieve their creative potential. Certainly, there is no easy definition of what good mentoring is.

One way or another, however, good mentoring is too often taken for granted. So in 2005 we created an award aimed at recognizing outstanding scientific mentorship. The Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science focus on a specific country or countries each year.

2008 awards – Germany

This year Nature invites nominations for exceptional mentors resident in Germany. Two prizes of €10,000 will be awarded – one for mid-career and one for life-time achievement.
2008 award page

Previous awards

2007 Awards – South Africa

• Lifetime achievement: Professor Barry Fabian (University of the Witwatersrand)
• Mid-career award: Professor Charles de Koning (University of the Witwatersrand)
• 2007 award page
• Nature coverage

2006 Awards – United Kingdom and Australasia

United Kingdom

• Lifetime achievement (joint winners): Andrew McMichael (Wetherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford) and Godfrey Hewitt (University of East Anglia)
• Mid-career award: Steve Watson (University of Birmingham)
• 2006 (UK) award page
• Nature coverage

Australasia

• Lifetime achievement: Professor Tom Healy (University of Melbourne)
• Mid-career award: Professor Rachel Webster (University of Melbourne)
• 2006 (Australasia) award page
• Nature coverage

2005 Awards – United Kingdom

• Lifetime achievement: Tom Kibble (Imperial College, London)
• Mid-career award: Innes Cuthill (University of Bristol)
• 2006 (UK) award page
• Nature coverage