Nominations close 01 June 2026. Following this, AMI's internal awards panel will evaluate the nominations and decide on a winner, which will be announced on 01 September.
The Dorothy Jones Diversity and Inclusion Achievement Award honours the legacy of Dorothy Jones by recognising outstanding contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within STEM. This award aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which recognise that reduced inequalities are a core factor in attaining peace and prosperity for people and the planet. It celebrates individuals and organisations whose work has delivered meaningful, real-world progress in widening participation, improving representation, and fostering inclusive research, education, and professional environments.
The award recognises initiatives that dismantle barriers to participation in STEM for underrepresented and marginalised groups, and that embed inclusive principles into policy, practice, education, and research. It highlights leadership and sustained commitment to building a more diverse, equitable, and resilient scientific workforce.
Award benefits
The recipient of the Dorothy Jones Diversity and Inclusion Achievement Award will receive:
- £3,000 in prize money
- A commemorative award recognising their achievement
- The opportunity to present or chair a session at an AMI conference, webinar, roundtable, or similar event
Horizon Awards nomination criteria
-
Nominations for the 2026 Horizon Awards close on 01 June 2026.
-
Nominees do not need to be AMI members.
-
Nominators must hold an active AMI membership at the time of nomination, except for the Dorothy Jones Diversity & Inclusion Award and the Christiana Figueres Policy to Practice Award, for which AMI membership is not required.
-
Self-nomination is permitted and encouraged, subject to the membership requirements above. This helps ensure individuals from all parts of the microbiology community have a fair opportunity to be recognised for their achievements.
-
The following individuals are not eligible for nomination:
-
Trustees of AMI
-
AMI staff members
-
Members of AMI’s Finance, Audit and Risk Subcommittee
-
-
For each Horizon Award application, nominees will be asked to provide 100–250 words per question.
Applied Microbiology International is committed to recognising excellence across all areas of microbiology. We welcome nominations that reflect the diversity of the microbiology community and particularly encourage nominations from under-represented groups and from individuals with diverse or non-traditional career pathways.
To make a nomination, please use the NOMINATE button on this page.
AMI reserves the right to rescind any prize where there are reasonable grounds to do so. All nominators will be required to confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the nominee’s professional standing presents no confirmed or potential impediment to receiving the award.
Who should apply:
This award is open to individuals, teams, or organisations demonstrating clear leadership and impact in advancing diversity and inclusion in STEM, including:
- Researchers actively advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within their disciplines
- Organisations and institutions delivering significant internal or external change through inclusive policy and practice
- Educators and academics developing and promoting inclusive and accessible education and training programmes
- Advocates and practitioners driving cultural, structural, or systemic change to reduce inequalities in science
- Interdisciplinary teams embedding inclusive principles into research design, experimental practice, and organisational culture
The Dorothy Jones Diversity and Inclusion Achievement Award emphasises the importance of ending all inequalities in STEM. It celebrates impactful contributions to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the scientific community, highlighting the critical role of applied microbiology and the other life sciences in addressing challenges faced by underrepresented and marginalised groups in science and research.