Nominations must be submitted by email in Word doc format to medal@researchireland.ie by 5pm (Irish local time) on Friday 7th November 2025.  

Nomination submissions must be made on the official nomination form and must include: 

• Nominee details
• Nominator details  
• Nominator support statement (max 2 pages) [nominator support statements longer than 2 pages will, without exception, be cut off at the end of page 2]
• Nominee CV/Resume/Biography (max 2 pages) [CVs/Resumes/Biographies longer than 2 pages will, without exception, be cut off at the end of page 2]

Up to two letters of support may also be included (optional).

Eligible nominations from the 2026 and subsequent calls will remain valid for a period of five years, including the year of nomination. 

The nominee must be an Irish academic or industry leader who, at the time of the nomination, is living and working in the USA. 

Please note self-nominations are not accepted.

Nominees must be Irish citizens, persons of Irish descent, persons entitled to Irish citizenship or persons with a strong historical and enduring connection to the research ecosystem in Ireland, including, but not limited to: mentorship, supervision and collaboration with Irish researchers/companies; supporting education and public engagement, industrial development or entrepreneurship in research in Ireland; and any other demonstrable contributions to Irish society or the economy within their field of research.

Academic Medal Specific Criteria 

The nominee should:

• be an outstanding academic researcher and recognised as one of the field-leaders in their discipline;
• hold or have held, a full professorial position, or equivalent, at a major US research-performing organisation;
• have contributed to academic, economic, social, cultural and/or environmental development, and/or sustainability of Ireland. 

Industry Medal Specific Criteria 

The nominee should:

• be an inspirational business leader operating/have operated in a business sector that promotes and supports research and innovation in Ireland; 
• hold or have held a senior executive position in industry; 
• have contributed to academic, economic, social, cultural and/or environmental development and/or sustainability of Ireland. 

• Official Nomination Form
• Research Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Medal Award flyer

Each eligible nomination will be reviewed by the selection committee based upon the following criteria: 

1. Research Excellence as demonstrated through leadership in their field of endeavour, research impact (including the economic, social, cultural and environmental impact of their research) and measurable outputs such as citations and commercial outputs. Industry candidates should also reach the same levels of esteem both in their field of speciality and their industry accomplishments. 
2. Global Recognition: Evidence of recognition of excellence at an international level as demonstrated through achievement of international awards, honours and membership of prestigious societies. Industry leadership and business success, particularly in the case of Industry candidates. 
3. Engagement with Ireland: Evidence of the nominees’ commitment to the support of the research community and/or industry in Ireland and to Ireland’s wider economic development as evidenced through ongoing and meaningful collaboration, mentorship of Irish researchers/companies, national policy dialogue participation, representation of Irish research at an international level, etc. 

Each nomination must meet a minimum threshold in each criterion in order to progress to the next stage of the process. The Selection Committee will evaluate the merit of all eligible nominees to help inform a final decision. 

Medals will be awarded by the Taoiseach [subject to final programme arrangements by the Department of the Taoiseach] during the official St. Patrick’s Day Programme in the United States in March 2026.