New award to support early career researchers making real-world impact
Nature Research and Tencent launch Driving Global Impact Awards with a 2019 focus on brain science
London, 5 November 2018
Nature Research, part of Springer Nature, in partnership with Tencent has established the Nature Research Awards for Driving Global Impact, as part of a joint commitment between the two companies to harness technological progress and to support early career scientists.
Launched at this year’s WE Summit in Beijing, the annual, global award programme will recognise and empower early career researchers whose work has made, or has the potential to make, a positive impact on society. Encouraging early career researchers to think critically about, and to plan for, the potential impacts of their work can stimulate an environment which maximises impact.
Tencent and Nature Research share a vision to inspire future generations of scientists. Through the Driving Global Impact Awards, both companies will provide support to early career scientists and, in showcasing their work, will help a broader population recognise the important role that science plays in improving the world.
Each year, the award will focus on a different area of research. In 2019, it will recognise researchers who are revolutionising our understanding of the brain and translating this understanding into real-world impact. Applications are invited from early career researchers making major contributions in brain sciences, including areas such as the relationship between the brain and behaviour, technological breakthroughs, and novel approaches to the prevention and treatment of brain diseases. Researchers must be able to demonstrate the impact —or articulate the potential impact — of their research on society, and outline their plans to ensure that impact is realised.
Sir Philip Campbell, Editor-in-Chief of Springer Nature said: “Across Springer Nature, we firmly believe in the ability of scientific research to help answer some of society’s most pressing questions. Nature Research’s partnership with Tencent will celebrate early career researchers making important contributions to this end.
“I am very excited by the focus this year on brain science. We have strikingly few approaches for treating the devastating brain disorders which pose a challenge to the wellbeing of individuals, the strength of our social networks and our global economies. This award, for candidates performing exciting research across a broad spectrum of brain research, will promote a deeper understanding of what makes us human and advance global health and well-being.
By profiling such work to a wide audience, we hope to engage future generations with science and inspire them to consider careers in science and technology.”
Edward Cheng, Vice President of Tencent, said: “When looking back on the history of science, renowned scientists have accomplished many of their greatest scientific breakthroughs early in their careers. Tencent has partnered with Nature Research to launch this award with the objective of providing support to early career scientists to advance their research programmes, and to capitalise on opportunities to translate research into societal impact. We also hope that this award will encourage more young people to pursue a career in scientific research.
At Tencent we are working hard to improve the quality of life through digital and technological innovations, and for the inaugural year of the award, we are focusing on brain science, given the subject’s profound impact on human health. We look forward to raising awareness of significant breakthroughs in this area of research and to promoting the betterment of humankind.”
The award invites applications from researchers who have established an independent research group within the past five years. Those encouraged to apply will have made an exceptional contribution to scientific discovery in the field of brain sciences. Researchers should be able to demonstrate the application, or potential application, of their research to make a positive impact on society, defined as an effect on, the economy, society, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life.
The call for applications for the 2019 Award opens on 4th November 2018 and closes on 9th February 2019. A shortlist will be revealed in July 2019 and the winners announced in November 2019. The judging panel, chaired by Nature Editor-in-Chief Magdalena Skipper, will include relevant Nature Research editors, and independent experts.
The awards will offer a prize of USD30,000 to one winner, and two prizes of USD10,000 to two runners-up.
Further details about the awards, including guidelines for applicants, are available at: www.nature.com/impactawards
Nature Research is a portfolio of high-quality products and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences – including journals, databases and researcher services – dedicated to serving the scientific community.
Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading, international weekly journal of science. Nature Research also publishes a range of Nature branded subscription journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, other open access journals including Scientific Reports, and a range of Nature Partner Journals published in partnership with institutions and societies. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries.
Online, nature.com provides over nine million unique visitors per month with Nature Research content, including news and comment from Nature, and the leading scientific jobs board, Naturejobs. Nature Research also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training and expert language and editing services. For more information, please visit nature.com and follow @nresearchnews. Nature Research is part of Springer Nature.
Tencent uses technology to enrich the lives of Internet users. Our social products Weixin and QQ link our users to a rich digital content catalogue including games, video, music and books. Our proprietary targeting technology helps advertisers reach out to hundreds of millions of consumers in China. Our infrastructure services including payment, security, cloud and artificial intelligence create differentiated offerings and support our partners’ business growth. Tencent invests heavily in people and innovation, enabling us to evolve with the Internet.
Tencent was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 1998. Shares of Tencent (00700.HK) are traded on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
WE Summit is a Tencent organised event which has been held annually since 2013. The event draws scientists and innovators from around the world to predict future challenges and explore solutions to progress human development. Tencent hope to use the WE Summit to inspire people to create and explore ways to change mankind’s life through innovative technology.
Since 2017, Tencent and Nature Research have worked as strategic partners to co-host WE Summit.
WE Summit is now one of the most influential technology and innovation summits in China, and each year attracts a large and influential audience of science and technology practitioners, venture capitalists and media professionals.
Official website: we.tencent.com
Wechat OA Channel: WESummit
