College Research Medals

The College’s Trainees' Research Medals are awarded annually for outstanding research work undertaken by pathologists or scientists in training.

Medals are awarded for research published in the specialties (listed below) in the relevant year:

  • a Gold Research Medal is awarded for the best research published

  • specialty Research Medals are awarded to the best candidates in each of the major specialties of the College.

Medals are assessed for:

  • potential benefits to the public and patients

  • impact on the field

  • contribution of the individual to the paper.

Medals will be presented at a College ceremony in 2026. The paper or a related extract by the overall winner (recipient of the gold medal) will be published in the College Bulletin.

Who can apply?

The awards are open to all trainees or scientists registered with the College or a UK Regulatory Council for training purposes during the year the submitted paper was published. The research paper must either have been either published or accepted for publication by a peer-reviewed journal.

Aims

The aims of the Royal College of Pathologists’ Research Medals scheme are:

  • to enhance the status of the research of pathology trainees, both within and outside the College

  • to help identify the future research stars that will provide the next generation of leadership in research

  • to recognise and reward the best of the excellent science that College trainees publish, encouraging them in their research careers 

  • to enhance the curricula vitae of the successful individuals improves their chances of external research awards

  • to generate positive publicity and the value trainees gain from the College

  • ultimately, to increase research activity within pathology.

Application and supporting documentation

To apply for the award medal, you must submit the following:

  • a completed application form and a photograph (for publication alongside the article)

  • a single research paper. The research paper must either have been either published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and have been written during the year then applicant was in a suitable specialty training or appropriate research/academic post.

You are asked to provide the following on the application form:

  • key details of your CV to allow conflicts of interest to be identified

  • a description in lay terms of why your submitted paper is so important (maximum 100 words)

  • a short summary of the main research findings and why they are important to the pathological and wider community (maximum 500 words), which may be used for publication on the College website

  • written confirmation from your research supervisor regarding your research role/duties. The research supervisor must comment on the applicant’s contribution to the research and the importance of the contribution.

Further information on the guidance can be found below.

How do I submit my application?

  • You must complete the application form provided below.

  • You are advised to read the guidance carefully before completing your application.

  • The application form, along with all supporting documents, must be emailed to research@rcpath.org.

The application form and eligibility criteria is below.

 

Applications are now closed.