The Research Heroes programme seeks to celebrate individuals who do not necessarily qualify for professional recognition, such as fellowships, but who have been deemed to have given exceptional service to the sector, their colleagues or stakeholders.  

Nominees must work in research, insight or analytics, including in support and operations roles, and have either contributed to making a difference in research or supporting colleagues, to have given consistent service to the sector, or to have forwarded the cause of research or campaigns that are important to the sector.

Successful nominees must receive 80% of approval from responding judges. On the judging panel this year are: Hayley Ward, Louise Sharpe, Marie Robelin, James Turner, Lydia Fuller, Paul Child, Adam Goddard, Nick Meagher and Georgie White.

Submissions are asked to include the full name, job title and contact email of the nominee with a 200-word description of the reason they have been chosen, sent to info@mrs.org.uk.

No organisation should send in more than three employee nominations. The nomination period for 2026 closes at 5pm on 11th May 2026. More information can be found here. 

Jane Frost, chief executive at MRS, said: “We all need to say thank you more and celebrate more. There are no limits to the Research Hero scheme – all the research heroes are receiving a big thank you from their colleagues via this award.

“Congratulations to all of them for inspiring the nominations and a personal thank you for all you have done.”