The Icelandic Research Fund's Motivation Award
(former The Icelandic Science and Technology Policy Council's Motivation Award) is awarded to a young scientist, who in early career is believed to have excelled, and creates expectations about scientific contribution, which has the potential to strengthen the foundations of Icelandic society.

The award has been granted from 1987 - the first one being awarded on the occasion of the University of Iceland's Employment Department's 50 ^th anniversary. The objective of the Motivation Awards is to encourage young scientists in their careers and promote the added value of science and the work of scientists to the general public.

The Icelandic Research Fund annually calls for nominations for the award and the awarding ceremony held during Rannis Research Convention.

Recipients of the Motivation Award for Researchers:

• 2025: Jón Emil Guðmundsson, assistant professor in astrophysics at the University of Iceland

• 2024: Þórhildur Halldórsdóttir, assistant professor in Psychology at Reykjavik University

• 2023: Heiða María Sigurðardóttir, Professor in Psychology at the University of Iceland.

Nominations for the award

Nominations can come from all fields of science, technology and education. Scientists who work in Iceland at universities, research institutes, companies or who are self-employed can be nominated. Anyone who can evaluate the work of individual scientists may submit nominations. The CV of the scientists should be attached with the nomination.

In assessing nominations, the following is taken into consideration, the academic career of the scientist in question, independence, originality and achievements in scientific work after graduation are, writing, patents and international cooperation, as well as other indicators of the likely results of the person's work. Pioneering work in science is also considered as well as professional contributions in the workplace and the dissemination of knowledge to Icelandic society.

In general, the nominees should not over the age of 40, although delays that may occur in the scientist's career due to childcare are accounted for.

Selection Committee

Members of the Motivation award selection committee are five former recipients of the awards.