Nominations for European Research Awards now open
Nominations are now open for the next European Research Awards, which include the Descartes prizes for trans-national collaborative research, and the Descartes prizes for science communication. The total prize money on offer is EUR 1.7 million. Applications must be received by 17 July (17:00 CET). The European Research Awards, which fall under the 'Science in Society' thematic area of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), aim to stimulate and award the very best in collaborative research in Europe, and to provide public recognition for work that has significantly raised public awareness of science and technology. Up to four teams of researchers, whose work is judged to represent the very best of excellence at European level, will have a chance to take home the coveted Descartes prize for trans-national collaborative research. All fields of science and technology, including the economic and social sciences and the humanities, are covered by the prize. The work submitted must have been performed by international teams involving at least one participant from an EU Member State. The prizes for science communication can be awarded to teams or individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field. There are three categories of prize, covering science communicator of the year, science writer of the year, and the best audiovisual documentary of the year. To be eligible for consideration the work put forward must have already won a science communication award at national or European level. Furthermore, only the awarding bodies or organisations involved can propose candidates. The selection of finalists and winners for both sets of prizes will be made in October. In the case of the Descartes prizes for trans-national collaborative research, a grand jury chaired by Claudie Haigneré, former French Minister for Research, former Minister for European affairs, and former astronaut, will be responsible for choosing the winners. As with the winners of the prizes for science communication, they will be picked by an international team of science communication specialists.