Francis Crick Medal and Lecture

This prize lecture is given on a subject in the field of biological sciences.

  • Opening date

  • Closing date

  • Winners announcement

The award

The Francis Crick Medal and Lecture is awarded annually in any field in the biological sciences. Preference is given to genetics, molecular biology and neurobiology, the general areas in which Francis Crick worked, and to fundamental theoretical work, which was the hallmark of Crick’s science.

The lectureship was endowed by Sydney Brenner FRS in memory of Francis Crick FRS, the co-discoverer of the structure of the DNA molecule. The first lecture was given in 2003.  The medal is of bronze, is awarded annually and is accompanied by a gift of £2,000.

Eligibility

The Francis Crick medal and lecture is open to UK/Commonwealth/Republic of Ireland citizens or those who have been residents for three or more years. It is restricted to early career scientists with no more than 15 years since (not including career breaks) achieving their PhD and nominations will remain valid and shall be considered by the award selection committee throughout three nomination cycles. Teams or groups may now be nominated for this award.

Nominations are closed

Nominations will reopen in November 2024.

2025 winner

  • Professor Sam Behjati

    Professor Sam Behjati

    The Francis Crick Medal and Lecture 2025 is awarded to Professor Sam Behjati for fundamental discoveries into the developmental roots of childhood cancer. Picture credit: Onur Pinar; Wellcome Sanger Institute
  • Past winners

    • Stephen Fleming
      Awarded in 2024

      Professor Stephen Fleming

      For tackling foundational questions about the neurobiology of conscious experience and advancing our understanding of the neural and computational basis of metacognition.
    • Tiago Branco
      Awarded in 2023

      Dr Tiago Branco

      For making fundamental advances in the molecular, cellular and circuit bases of neuronal computation and for successfully linking these to animal decision behaviour.
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      Awarded in 2022

      Dr Serena Nki-Zainal

      Delivered lecture: 'DNA graffiti: Mutation patterns in human cancer and how to use them in medicine'.
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      Awarded in 2020

      Marta Zlatic

      Delivered lecture: 'How we learn, predict and decide: the circuit basis of behaviour'.
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      Awarded in 2019

      Gregory Jefferis

      Delivered lecture: 'Love, smell and memory: exploring the brain circuits for learned and innate behaviour'.
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      Awarded in 2018

      Miratul Muqit

      Delivered lecture: 'Parkinson’s disease: decoding the mysteries of neurodegeneration'.
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      Awarded in 2017

      Simon Myers

      Delivered lecture: 'The birth of a new species: Bringing together, yet driving apart'.
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      Awarded in 2016

      Simon Myers

      Delivered lecture: 'For his major and widespread contributions to computational biology'.
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      Awarded in 2015

      Rob Klose

      Delivered lecture: 'Gene regulation and the epigenome'.
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      Awarded in 2014

      Duncan Odom

      Delivered lecture: 'Genetic control and the mammalian radiation'.
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      Awarded in 2013

      Matthew Hurles

      Delivered lecture: 'Mutations: great and small'.
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      Awarded in 2012

      Sarah Teichmann

      Delivered lecture: 'Finding patterns in genes and proteins: decoding the logic of molecular interactions'.