Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prizes

The Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prizes are awarded for the most meritorious and promising original investigations in chemistry and published results of those investigations.

Rules & Criteria

• Run annually 
• Up to three prizes are available 
• Candidates may nominate themselves
• Candidates should be 32 years of age or below on 31st January 2009.  The age specified is intended to guide nominators and selection panelists; appropriate consideration will be given to those who have taken career breaks or followed different study paths.
• Candidates should be working in the UK 
• Name and contact details of two referees required who will be contacted by the RSC - these may include the candidate's post-doc or PhD supervisor 
• Winners receive £5000, a medal and a certificate 
• Nominations open on 1st September 2008 
• Nominations close on 31st January 2009 
• Prize winners are chosen by the RSC Awards Sub-Committee 

About the Award

The Edward Harrison Memorial Prize and the Meldola Medal and Prize combined to form the Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prize in 2008.

The Edward Harrison Memorial Prize commemorated the contributions of Lt-Col Edward Harrison to chemistry. Having qualified as a pharmaceutical chemist, he attempted to enlist in the army during World War 1, but was rejected. However, when gas weapons were first used, chemists, including Harrison, were enlisted in attempt to devise a form of defence against these weapons. Harrison produced the first serviceable British gas mask and continuously worked on this during the war until he died of pneumonia, aged 47. His contributions have hugely impacted the lives of many in the armed forces.

The Meldola Prize recognises the significant contributions to science of Raphael Meldola. After working in a private laboratory, Meldola lectured at the Royal College of Science and assisted in a spectroscopy laboratory. in 1875, he led the British Eclipse Expedition to the Nicobar Islands. Meldola was a member of many scientific committees and was awarded the Davy Medal in 1913.