Lister Prize Process

Once your application is received it is reviewed by members of the Scientific Committee (SC) to generate a long-list of candidates whose applications are then sent to national and international experts for a detailed review.

Short-listed candidates are then selected by SC members based on their own assessments and the results of the expert reviews. The short-listed candidates, which can be up to 12, then make a brief presentation and are interviewed by the SC. Successful candidates will commence their Lister Fellowship on the 1st October of the year they are awarded.

Interviews are held in May in London. We allow re-application provided a candidate remains within the eligibility criteria.

To learn more about the Scientific Committe, read our article Behind the scenes with the Lister Institute Scientific Committee.

Please see here for our 2025 Prize winners, as well as what the Lister Prize means to our current Fellows

How are the prizes awarded?

The winners are selected according to several criteria including:

• the originality and quality of the proposed research,

• past achievements and the context of their own circumstances, and

• the impact that the prize would have on their career, taking account of their research environment and other funding.