Honorary Fellows

Honorary Fellowship may be awarded to exceptional individuals whose fellowship would bring distinction to the Academy.

Such individuals will have given distinguished service to the cause of medical science and its applications, or brought great benefits to science and healthcare, but will not normally have the achievements of the kind required of candidates elected as Ordinary Fellows, or in other ways will not fulfil the eligibility criteria to be elected as Ordinary Fellows.

Honorary Fellows are elected to the Academy at the Annual General Meeting in December each year and may use the FMedSci post-nominal. They are not eligible to participate in the Fellowship elections or to vote on Academy business.   

The Academy’s Nominations Committee is responsible for oversight of the process to identify future Honorary Fellows and each year will advise Council as to criteria categories (from the list provided below) to be prioritised to better align the election of Honorary Fellows with Academy strategic objectives.  

Fellows will receive guidance on the priority categories each year via the President’s annual Call for Nominations for new Honorary Fellows.    

Nominations for Honorary Fellowship may be made by Ordinary Fellows and should be submitted to the Executive Director, using the nomination form provided on this page and should include a statement of the principal grounds on which the nomination is made. Find out more about the process for nominating Honorary Fellows. 

Nominators should consider the individual’s potential contribution to the Academy in terms of furthering the Academy’s mission and how their appointment as an Honorary Fellow will support the Academy’s strategic priorities. 

All valid nominations received will be reviewed and scored by the Nominations Committee who will prepare a shortlist for consideration by Council in October. Council will agree a final list for submission to the Fellowship at the Annual General Meeting. Up to three candidates may be elected as Honorary Fellows each year. 

Unsuccesful shortlisted candidates will be carried over to the pool for subsequent years, up to a maximum of five years.  

The deadline for nominations will be 30 June each year. 

In identifying candidates for Honorary Fellowship the Nominations Committee will pay heed to its responsibility to promote and advance diversity in the Fellowship, actively exploring the many different paths that can lead to excellence. 

Candidates for Honorary Fellowship must meet one or more of the following criteria:

Individuals who:

i. Have made a significant contribution to science, outside the conventional scope of biomedical and health research, e.g. in engineering, physical sciences, social sciences and beyond. 
ii. Are outstanding overseas biomedical and health researchers, usually recipients of major international prizes or awards. 
iii. Are prominent leaders in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or medical devices sectors, but who may not have the scientific achievements required for Ordinary Fellowship. iv. Policymakers (including Ministers, Parliamentarians or officials) who have been involved in UK and/or international policy around science, medical research or healthcare.
iv. Are policymakers (including Ministers, Parliamentarians or officials) who have played a significant role or led changes which will have positive impact on UK and/or international policy around science, medical research or healthcare.
v. Have demonstrated outstanding organisational or sector-wide leadership in the governance or administration of biomedical and health research, for instance via regulatory agencies, arms-length bodies or charitable organisations.
vi. Are philanthropists who have made outstanding contributions to medical science in the public interest. 
vii. Have made outstanding contributions to strengthening the relationship between science and society through their role in the media or digital communications, public engagement and involvement, or the co-production of research. 
viii. Have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in biomedical and health research within an organisation and/or a more positive research culture in the UK.

Click here to view directory information on the Academy's Honorary Fellows.