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 2026. Only members can nominate for this award.
The Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence Award honours the enduring legacy of Rachel Carson by recognising outstanding achievements in applied microbiology that deliver meaningful impact in environmental conservation.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land), this award celebrates professionals, researchers, and innovators whose work has contributed to the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
The award recognises applied microbiology that has moved beyond research or pilot activity to deliver real-world outcomes: supporting ecosystem resilience, safeguarding biodiversity, and addressing critical environmental challenges across land and water systems.
Award benefits
The recipient of the Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence 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
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Nominations for the 2026 Horizon Awards close on 01 June 2026.
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Nominees do not need to be AMI members.
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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.
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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.
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The following individuals are not eligible for nomination:
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Trustees of AMI
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AMI staff members
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Members of AMI’s Finance, Audit and Risk Subcommittee
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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 working in applied microbiology whose work advances environmental conservation and ecosystem protection, including:
- Applied microbiologists working in environmental conservation, marine biology, or terrestrial ecosystem science
- Researchers and academics whose work directly supports biodiversity conservation or environmental sustainability
- Environmental health professionals using microbiological methods for ecosystem assessment, monitoring, or restoration
- Biotechnologists and environmental engineers developing microbiology-based innovations for ecosystem management or remediation
- NGOs and non-profit organisations applying microbiological approaches in conservation and biodiversity initiative
- Interdisciplinary teams spanning microbiology, ecology, environmental science, and related fields addressing SDG 14 and SDG 15 challenges
Together, these contributions highlight the vital role of applied microbiology in conserving marine and terrestrial ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and supporting environmental sustainability. The Rachel Carson Environmental Conservation Excellence Award celebrates individuals and teams delivering measurable, real-world impact in ecosystem protection and biodiversity conservation.
How this award aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
The award recognises contributions aligned with the following SDG 14 targets:
- Target 14.1 – Marine Pollution: Developing microbiology-based bioremediation approaches to reduce pollution, including oil spills and plastic contamination
- Target 14.2 – Marine Ecosystem Protection: Advancing understanding of microbial roles in marine ecosystem health and nutrient cycling, to support sustainable management and protection of marine environments
- Target 14.3 – Ocean Acidification: Investigating microbial responses to ocean acidification to inform strategies that mitigate risks to marine biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Target 14.4 – Sustainable Fisheries: Supporting sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management through microbiological solutions
- Target 14.5 – Marine Conservation: Strengthening protection of coral reefs and coastal habitats through microbiology-enabled ecosystem resilience
- Target 14.7 – Sustainable Marine Resources: Advancing microbial biotechnology for sustainable use of marine resources
- Target 14.a – Scientific Knowledge and Capacity: Expanding marine science knowledge and research capacity through applied microbiology and international collaboration
Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land
Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss.
The award also aligns with the following SDG 15 targets:
- Target 15.1 – Terrestrial Ecosystems: Enhancing understanding of soil and freshwater microbiomes to support ecosystem health and biodiversity
- Target 15.2 – Sustainable Forests: Investigating forest microbiomes to strengthen forest resilience and support sustainable management practices
- Target 15.3 – Desertification: Applying microbiological solutions to restore degraded land and improve soil quality
- Target 15.4 – Mountain Ecosystems: Advancing microbial research to support conservation of mountain habitats and ecosystem services
- Target 15.5 – Biodiversity Loss: Studying microbial interactions that support species and habitat conservation
- Target 15.8 – Invasive Species: Supporting microbiology-informed approaches to managing invasive species
- Targets 15.a & 15.b – Conservation Resources: Advancing applied microbiology that underpins conservation initiatives and sustainable land use