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.”
