About this opportunity
Some of the most meaningful climate progress never makes headlines: it happens inside a plant, in a lab, where someone reworks a process so it uses less energy, wastes less water or emits less carbon at an industrial scale. The SCI Sustainability Award exists to put a spotlight on exactly that kind of work, recognising science innovation in industry that has produced significant, measurable improvements in environmental sustainability.
The Society of Chemical Industry, the world’s oldest industrial chemistry organisation, opens the award to any individual or team working in a company of any size or country. The work should sit in an industry focused on products or processes requiring chemistry or chemistry related science, and it should connect to SCI’s key theme areas of Global Health, Climate Change and Sustainability. Evidence of demonstrable, measurable outcomes is required, and applications that show a material impact on society are favoured.
The winner receives a framed certificate and a trophy for the individual or team named in the application, presented at SCI’s annual awards dinner in May 2027 by a member of the judging panel or a distinguished guest from the scientific and industrial communities. For a researcher or process engineer, the recognition travels far in industry circles.
Nominations opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 4 December 2026. Self nomination is accepted, the process runs through an online nomination form plus an electronic application form, and the shortlist is announced in April 2027.
What you receive
- A framed certificate and trophy for the individual or team named in the application
- Presentation at SCI’s annual awards dinner in May 2027, by a judging panel member or distinguished guest
- Global recognition from the world’s oldest industrial chemistry organisation
- Inclusion among the past recipients of a science and industry award with international standing
Who can apply
- Any individual or team working in a company of any size or country
- Work that demonstrates a significant improvement to the overall environmental sustainability of the company
- An industry with a primary focus on products or processes requiring chemistry or chemistry related science
- Innovation related to SCI’s key theme areas of Global Health, Climate Change and Sustainability
- Evidence of demonstrable, measurable outcomes from the innovation
Who should not apply
- The award recognises industrial science innovation, so academic work without an industrial application falls outside the published criteria
- Applications without measurable sustainability outcomes are unlikely to satisfy the judging criteria
Documents to prepare
- Completed online nomination form
- Electronic application form with details of the sustainability improvements made, downloaded from the application form page
- Evidence of demonstrable, measurable outcomes resulting from the innovation
How to apply
- Read the full award description and eligibility criteria on the official SCI page at https://www.soci.org/awards/honours/sustainability-award.
- Download the nomination questions from the application form page at https://www.soci.org/awards/honours/sustainability-award/application-form-sustainability-award before completing the form.
- Complete the online nomination form, setting out the innovation and its measurable environmental impact. Self nomination is accepted.
- Submit before the closing date of 4 December 2026. For questions, SCI directs enquiries to its awards team through the contact published on the award page.
Selection process
- Nominations opened 1 September 2026 and close 4 December 2026.
- A shortlist is announced in April 2027.
- The award is presented at SCI’s annual awards dinner in May 2027.
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Who can be nominated?
Any individual or team working in a company of any size or country, as long as the work shows significant, measurable improvement in environmental sustainability through science innovation in industry.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes. SCI states that applications are accepted by self nomination.
What does the winner receive?
A framed certificate and a trophy for the individual or team named in the application, presented at the SCI annual awards dinner in May 2027. No cash prize is published.
When is the deadline?
Nominations close on 4 December 2026, with the shortlist announced in April 2027.
What kind of work wins?
Innovations in product or process development, or in business and operational processes, within industries requiring chemistry or chemistry related science, aligned with Global Health, Climate Change and Sustainability, with evidence of measurable outcomes and societal impact.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
