MASC Group and WISC Network EDIA Award

The MASC/WISC EDIA Award recognises early career researchers who have not yet completed their PhD or are within 7 years of completion of their PhD and have not yet obtained a permanent position that:

• work in the field of macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry,

• contribute to initiatives addressing EDIA issues in supramolecular chemistry or in the wider community (scientific or general),

• have a strong link to the RSC MASC Interest Group. The Group seeks to encourage applications from researchers with diverse interests and backgrounds.

This award is open to nominations from any country.

The award consists of £100 and presentation of the award at the annual MASC Interest Group meeting. Applicants should be willing to attend this meeting held at the University of Sheffield on Monday 21st – Tuesday 22nd December 2026 and to prepare a short video (2-3 min) explaining their work to be played during the RSC MASC meeting and then retained on the WISC website as a platform to highlight EDIA initiatives in the community.

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Self-nominations for the MASC/WISC EDIA Award should consist of: (i) a one-page cover letter outlining suitability for the award, particularly in terms of the candidate’s individual contributions to the EDIA initiative(s) (especially for initiatives involving a team), how their contributions to the initiative(s) promote awareness of EDIA and evidencing the candidate’s links to the RSC MASC interest group, (ii) a CV and publication record (please illustrate any publications that support your application with an asterisk (*)) to include evidence of the candidate’s engagement in EDIA initiatives and the wider community, (iii) a short citation describing what the prize should be awarded for. This citation must be no longer than 250 characters (including spaces) and no longer than one sentence, and (iv) if relevant, please provide a short statement on any potential conflicts of interest. Please declare if over the last five years you have been found guilty of any disciplinary procedure, had any paper retracted, or have other circumstances which may bring the award into disrepute (if yes, word limit 250 words).

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Decisions will be made based on the candidate’s individual contributions to both the EDIA initiative(s) and the promotion of EDIA awareness as judged in line with RSC guidelines by members of the MASC Committee and representatives from WISC.

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Please remember that, as with other RSC prizes, a person cannot be awarded twice for substantially the same body of work. Your application submitted for this award should not have been included in the portfolio of work for any previous RSC prize (previous MASC prizes or previous other RSC prizes). Please ensure that your nomination paperwork clearly explains why the current nomination is distinct from work which led to the previous award(s).

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Applications should be submitted by email to the WISC network chair (Prof. Emily Draper: Emily.Draper@glasgow.ac.uk) by 5pm (UK time) Friday 18th September 2026, adding 2026 MASC/WISC EDIA Award as your email subject heading. If you have any questions about your eligibility for the award, please contact Emily who will be happy to provide additional guidance.

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*The WISC Network (www.womeninsuprachem.com) is an area-specific network that supports the retention and progression of women and marginalised groups in supramolecular chemistry. One of the network’s aims is to increase awareness of EDIA issues in the supramolecular chemistry community.

**Extensions are allowed for career interruptions (e.g., parental leave, illness) and please include dates and, if applicable, additional details for career interruptions in the cover letter and CV.