The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers is accepting applications for its 2012 Materials Science Venture Prize, which is worth £25,000. The Venture Prize is designed to encourage and support materials scientists with new and engaging ideas that have the potential for commercial success.

Applications are welcome from all British-based materials scientists. The judging committee, made up of commercial, financial and technical experts, will be looking for the following criteria:

• Cutting edge, novel and innovative scientific concepts being developed in a British location.
• An outline business plan with the potential for long-term commercial success.
• Individuals with the vision, drive, leadership and commitment to turn ideas in reality.
• A project with Intellectual property on the way to protection or already protected.

The £25,000 prize will be in the form of investment into the winning enterprise, it is aimed to enable the winner to engage in the early commercialisation of very promising research.

Applicants have until the end of March 2012 to enter, the shortlist will be selected in April before the prize presentation in June at the Armourers and Brasiers' Materials Science Forum in Cambridge.

Royal Society Awards 2012

The Royal Society is now accepting nominations for its own awards, medals and prize lectureships in a wide range of science areas including a prize for materials science and technology. The closing date for applications is Monday 6 February.

Further information

The Armourers and Brasiers website

The Royal Society Awards