In 2005 the Royal Irish Academy established six high profile Gold Medals to acclaim Ireland’s foremost thinkers in the humanities, social sciences, physical & mathematical sciences, life sciences, engineering sciences and the environment & geosciences. These awards, which are sponsored by the Higher Education Authority and The Irish Independent, aim to identify and recognise inspirational figures – the stars of the knowledge economy – in order to celebrate the achievements of higher education in Ireland and to inspire future generations. In doing so, the Gold Medals have become recognised as a truly national expression of celebration for scholarly achievement in Ireland

The Gold Medals are awarded each year following a detailed international peer review assessment of nominated candidates. Two medals are awarded on each occasion – one in the sciences and one in the humanities. Each of the science medals are presented once over a four year cycle, while the humanities and social sciences are awarded on alternate years. While there is no monetary prize for recipients, each receives a Gold Medal embossed on the front with bust of the Earl of Charlemont who was the 1st president of the RIA, and on the reverse with the Salmon of Knowledge. Each medal is also engraved with the RIA motto: Geallaimid Ár Ndícheall (We Will Endeavour).
 

For details on previous years’ medal programmes, please click here