Nominations invited for Boyle Medal award

Nominations remain open to leading Irish-born scientists working outside Ireland for consideration as winner of the 2005 Boyle Medal award for excellence in scientific research.

This year's medal will celebrate the work of a scientist doing ground-breaking work while based abroad.

The award, co-sponsored by the Royal Dublin Society and The Irish Times, every fourth year recognises Irish scientists who have chosen to make their contribution to scientific knowledge away from this island.

The Boyle Medal programme was introduced by the RDS back in 1899 to mark "scientific research of exceptional merit carried out in Ireland". It is named after one of Ireland's most famous scientists, Robert Boyle (1627-1691), who transformed the experimental study of chemistry.

In its centenary year, the RDS and The Irish Times relaunched the medal. It now provides for a biennial award, alternating between a recipient of any nationality working within Ireland and an Irish-born recipient working abroad.

The award in either case is given for scientific work of the highest calibre, demonstrating achievement that is recognised internationally.

Scientists may not nominate themselves; nominations may only be accepted from the president or head of a college, faculty or research institute. They may also be received from the managing director or head of research function within a company on behalf of an employee or from the secretary of a professional body.

Applications for the award must meet the criteria indicated on the nomination form, a copy of which may be printed from either The Irish Times' or the RDS's web sites (indicated below).

A two-part judging process follows with an initial judging round producing a shortlist of no more than five individuals and then an international panel of independent judges making the final decision.

Breaking with existing practice, The Irish Times will not be publishing details of the shortlisted candidates, although a subsequent report on this page will indicate when the shortlist has been prepared and name the international peers who will choose the winner.

Nominations will close on April 1st, 2005. More information, copies of the rules and nomination forms are available from either www.ireland.com or from www.rds.ie by clicking on the Boyle Medal button. Nomination forms are also available by post from The Irish Times at (01) 6758709 or the RDS at (01) 2407217.