Dementia Research Excellence and People Awards

What do the awards recognise?

The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Research Excellence and People Awards were set up to recognise the outstanding contributions and impact of early career researchers within the dementia research field. The awards are open to all, so anyone can nominate or be nominated even if you aren't funded by Alzheimer's Society.

Categories

There are four categories that researchers can be nominated for; two within the Research Excellence arm and two within the People arm. Nominees do not have to be funded by Alzheimer's Society but do need to be based at a university, research institute, or NHS trust within the UK. 

Rising Star Award 

This award recognises exceptional PhD students, or early postdoctoral researchers, for remarkable success in their research career thus far.

Eligibility criteria: Researchers who are currently completing their PhD or postdoctoral researchers who have completed a PhD within the last three years. 

Emerging Leader Award

This award recognises exceptional postdoctoral and fellowship researchers for their contribution to dementia research; demonstrating the skills and abilities required to become a leader in their field. 

Eligibility criteria: Early career researchers who completed their PhD between three and ten years ago.

The People's Champion Award

This award recognises outstanding members of the dementia research community who have gone above and beyond to engage with people affected by dementia, and the general public, to further the aims of dementia research. 

Eligibility criteria: Any dementia researcher who has made inclusion with people affected by dementia, and the public, a central part of their research.

Research Community Award

This award recognises outstanding members of the dementia research community who have gone above and beyond to support others; someone who has excelled in creating a supportive and encouraging academic environment.

Eligibility criteria: Any dementia researcher, clinician, or institutional staff member who has contributed to the development of a supportive and inclusive academic environment that enables colleagues, students, and researchers to thrive. 

Process for nominations

The deadline for submission of nominations is Monday 20th May by 17:00(GMT) and winners (one per category) will be announced in June 2024.

Anyone can nominate or be nominated even if you aren't funded by Alzheimer's Society, but nominees do need to be based at a university, research institute, or NHS trust within the UK. 

All nominations must be made using the supplied form and contain a complete record of the merits and achievements, related to the award category, of the nominee. Any additional supporting letters must be submitted with the application form.

For a nomination to be considered, all sections of the form relevant to the nominee must be completed. Incomplete nominations will be returned. 

Judging

A panel of leading dementia researchers, experts by experience (from the Research Network Volunteers), and Alzheimer's Society research team members will undertake the judging. Winning nominees will be notified of their success by the panel.

Progress towards a successful research career and impact in the nominee's dementia research field is the primary consideration, demonstrated within the evidence presented. Please see the cover information on the application form for more detailed criteria.

The judging panel will consider multiple aspects, including but not limited to the nominee's:

• Achievements and originality in research
• Commitment to Patient and Public Involvement and public engagement
• Commitment to mentoring or supporting the development of others
• Potential to improve the lives of people affected by dementia in the future
• (Applications do not have to address all elements suggested) 

Decisions will be made through discussion of the evidence presented within a nomination, taking into account the stage of the career that nominees are at and the differences between research fields.

Awards presentation

The awards will be presented at Alzheimer's Society's Early Career Researcher Retreat 2024: 18th-19th June at Voco St Johns, Solihull.

The award ceremony will form part of the event's closing session. 

Prizes

All winning nominees will receive a certificate and £1000 towards professional development activities (e.g. attendance at relevant conferences, undertaking professional training courses, research skill development through visiting other institutions, or relevant public outreach work).

Any queries?

If you have any questions about the awards or the eligibility criteria , please email us at [email protected]