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:

• 2026 - Dr. Hrefna Dögg Gunnarsdóttir, lektor í lögfræði við Háskóla Íslands

• 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.

Former Recipients of the Motivation Award