The Global Climate Research Prize
The global prize for research on climate change for transformative and transboundary research
Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, and LUT University, Finland are delighted to announce the launch of a new international biennial prize for outstanding contributions to the understanding of phenomena attributed to and arising from a changing climate, the great challenge of our era. This shared deep appreciation for sustainability led to the establishment of The Global Prize, a biennial environmental award for academic institutions´ researchers of any career stage who have already published, top-quality research which has transformative and transboundary implications for addressing climate change-induced issues globally. It will have an unusually broad remit, from advances in atmospheric physics to works of cultural history and literature.
“Global temperatures and CO2 levels rise faster every year, highlighting the threat of catastrophic climate change. It’s urgent to develop innovative ideas to mitigate or adept to this global emergency. This prize will honour efforts on these fronts.“
-Professor Lord Martin Rees FRS
Our Story
Our roots
On May 28, 2024 in Cambridge, United Kingdom, LUT University and Clare Hall, an Institute of Advanced Study and graduate college in the University of Cambridge, signed an agreement to establish the joint Global Prize and a Visiting Fellowship programme. The Global Climate Research Prize is a notable biennial recognition for finding science-based innovations to climate-induced issues, globally.
The new agreement reflected the spirit of a recent joint declaration made between the UK and Finland on their strategic partnership, which recognizes and enhances their bilateral commitment to global issues such as energy, environment and climate, education, science, research, innovation and technology, and people-to-people links. The new agreement captures the essence of this type of cooperation between Finland and the UK.
The key academics that have been developing the Global Climate Research Prize include Lord Martin Rees, President Alan Short, Rector Juha-Matti Saksa, Honorary Professor Andrew Blake, Professor Hannele Seeck, Strategy Director Janne Hokkanen, and Elina Huculak. Professor Emily Shuckburgh, OBE, Director of Cambridge Zero as well as Dr. Shaun Fitzgerald FREng OBE, Director of Research in the Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge have also been consulted.
Purpose
The Global Prize is a biennial environmental award for the participating academic institutions’ researchers of any career stage who have already published, top-quality research that has transformative and transboundary implications for addressing climate change-induced issues globally. The prize will be awarded to the partner university-endorsed applicants who are affiliated as staff members with the university (part-time, full-time, permanent or fixed term) whose scientific research demonstrates the greatest potential to address these critical issues. Each Global Prize award recipient will be presented with a certificate of merit and €200,000 (200,000 euros) in prize money for the member university, allocated to the university, to further the recipient’s area of research.
Application
Global Prize criteria
The Global Prize is a biennial environmental award for academic institutions´ researchers of any career stage who have already published, top-quality research which has transformative and transboundary implications for addressing climate change-induced issues within the next decade.
Call application schedule
The call for applications will officially open on Monday June 2, 2025 and will remain open until Sunday November 2, 2025.
The evaluation process will begin immediately after the application period closes, with final candidates being notified. The expert review and member university panel will commence in October, followed by interviews with the finalists throughout November.
The winner of the Global Climate Research Prize will be announced in December 2025.
For applicants
The Global Climate Research Prize is an academia-centered award in partnership with leading institutions worldwide. Participation is by invitation and the same institutions are given a possibility to continue as participants, thus building a network of institutions and institutionalizing the prize. One applicant is selected per participating institution and their application (incl. up to ten scientific peer reviewed publications in English on the topic) together with the letter of support from the institution is submitted to be considered by the judging panel. Researchers from Global Prize member institutions are encouraged to submit their research which aligns with the Prize’s aims and mission of addressing climate-induced challenges through pioneering, science-based contributions. How participating member universities endorse their researchers for the Global Prize is unique to each institution’s established procedures and can be decided by the institution. However, the same submission documents are required from all the participants. If you are a researcher at a member university, please consult your institution regarding your interest in submitting an application.
For reviewers
The reviewing panel will comprise of the founding partners (Clare Hall, University of Cambridge and LUT University), international organizations, and top scientists and scholars of various fields that are not members of the participating institutions. The composition of the panel will be made publicly available upon confirmation.
Information for Funders
News and Events
Contact information
Elina A. Huculak, Partnership Coordinator, Performance Guidance & Strategic Planning
Management Services, LUT University
Louise Sheridan, College Registrar & Executive Assistant to the President
Clare Hall, University of Cambridge