The Society aims to promote the study of all aspects of the biological sciences. Through awarding medals and grants, the Society acknowledges and encourages excellence in all of these fields.
Medals, Awards and Prizes
- The Linnean Medal awarded to a scientist for service to the natural sciences.
- The Bicentenary Medal awarded to an early-career scientist, in recognition of excellent research in the natural sciences.
- The Darwin-Wallace Medal awarded to a person or group who have made major advances in evolutionary science.
- The Irene Manton Prize £1,000 to a PhD student for the best botany thesis in an academic year.
- The John C. Marsden Medal £1,000 and a medal awarded for the best doctoral thesis in biology.
- The John Spedan Lewis Emerging Leader Award awarded to an individual who is making a significant and innovative contribution to conservation.
- The H. H. Bloomer Award awarded to an amateur naturalist for an important contribution to natural history knowledge.
- The Jill Smythies Award of £1,000 to a botanical artist for outstanding illustrations.
Grants
- The LinnéSys: Systematics Research Fund supports research in the field of systematics and taxonomy.
- Our Local Nature Grants of up to £1,000 to increase youth engagement with local natural spaces.
- Percy Sladen Memorial Fund Grants up to £2,000 supporting field work abroad in the earth and life sciences.
- The Appleyard Fund of up to £2,000 supporting research projects in botany or zoology, by Fellows or Associates of the Society.
- The Dennis Stanfield Memorial Fund up to £2,000 supporting botanical research on tropical African plants.
- The Anne Sleep Awards of up to £3,000 to assist with biological research in the Middle and Far East.
Historical and paused awards
- The Trail-Crisp Award is currently under review
- The Linnean Gold Medal awarded in special circumstances for exceptional service to the Society (last awarded in 2007).
- The Linnean Tercentenary Medal presented in 2007 on the occasion of the Tercentenary of the birth of Carl Linnaeus.