How the father of chemistry set standard

Robert Boyle, who was born in Co Waterford, helped to develop the use of the experimental method in research, the approach on which modern science is based. The award in his name offers a chance to follow in his footsteps

THE BOYLE MEDAL AWARD for Scientific Excellence ranks as Ireland's premier distinction in recognition of scientific endeavour. Recipients over its almost 110-year history have without exception included some of the island's leading scientific minds.

This week's relaunch of the Boyle Medal award programme carries forward and will build on this century-long tradition. Yet the medal's name evokes an even longer tradition of Irish scientific excellence.

It takes its name from the internationally famous Irish scientist, Robert Boyle (1627-1691). Born in Lismore, Co Waterford the son of the Earl of Corke, Robert Boyle helped to develop the use of the experimental method in research, the approach on which all modern science is based. He became known as the "father of chemistry" and in 1662 defined Boyle's Law which describes gases under pressure.

The Royal Dublin Society sought to evoke the scientific heritage embodied in the work of Robert Boyle when, in 1899, it awarded the first Boyle Medal for Scientific Excellence, a distinction afforded to George Johnstone Stoney, the man who introduced the term, "electron".

The first century of the Boyle Medal saw 32 awards given. Then in its centenary year, The Irish Timesjoined with the RDS to change the Medal programme.

It involved making the award every second year, alternatively to a scientist working in Ireland and an Irish-born scientist working abroad.

It included a bursary: a €40,000 award for laureates based in Ireland. It helped support a PhD candidate who had the privilege of working directly with the recipient of the Boyle Medal.

Significantly improved State financial support for pure research has meant that the bursary became less important for the maintenance of a PhD student and so for 2009, the 110th year of the Boyle Medal, the bursary will give way to a €20,000 cash award. This will be given directly to each recipient of the Boyle Medal, to be used as he or she sees fit in the advancement of their research efforts.

The biennial aspect of the award remains, as does the alternate awarding to an Irish-based researcher and to a researcher based abroad. The 2009 award will go to an Irish-based researcher.

A NEW FULLY ONLINEapplication system has been introduced as part of the relaunch of the Boyle Medal programme. Nominations will now only be accepted using the online nomination form found at www.rds.ie/ boylemedaland www.irishtimes.com/science/ boyle. Applications are considered in the strictest confidence.

As in previous years, a candidate may be nominated by the president or head of a college, school or research institute in an academic context, or by the managing director or head of research and development function of a company.

Nominations on behalf of candidates may also be submitted by the secretary of a professional body.

The nomination may be made by the individual's host organisation or more broadly by any Irish organisation to which he or she has links.

Nominations for the 2009 award will be for any scientist or pure mathematician who is ordinarily resident and pursuing their research activity within the island of Ireland.

Nominations are now being invited for suitable candidates and the closing date for receipt of nominations is Monday, February, 2nd, 2009. The award will be made in autumn 2009.