The NSI Early-Career Investigator Award

The NSI Early-Career Investigator Award will recognize a rising star (within 10 years of completing their PhD), who is employed at a higher education institution on the island of Ireland and has made significant contributions to neuroscience.

Criteria:

  • Have graduated with PhD within 10 years of the time the award is made

  • Have made significant contributions to the field of neuroscience

  • Employed at a HEI on the island of Ireland

Neuroscience Ireland Awards 2025

The NSI Education in Neuroscience Award 

The Education in Neuroscience Award is designed to pay tribute to a member of NSI who has made significant consistent and impactful contributions to education and training of neuroscientists at all career levels.

Criteria: 

  • Have made significant and impactful contributions through education in the field of neuroscience

  • Employed at a higher education institution on the island of Ireland

The Tom Connor Distinguished Investigator Award

The Tom Connor Distinguished Investigator Award is designed to recognize an outstanding long-standing member of the neuroscience community of Ireland demonstrating international standing in academic and intellectual achievement.

Criteria:

  • Have evidence of outstanding lifetime achievements in neuroscience 

The nomination period is now closed

Award recipients will be honoured and speak at the NSI Conference in Belfast (August 28th-29th). 

The deadline for nominations was Thursday April 24th 12 noon.  

Following the nomination deadline the nominees will be requested to submit a brief biographical statement (limit two pages) and a list of relevant achievements, experience, outputs and their impact (limit 2 pages). 

In your nominations, please keep in mind the NSI commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

The NSI Distinguished Investigator Award is given in memory of our dear friend and former President of Neuroscience Ireland, Tom Connor, who passed away at too young an age in 2013. The Award is presented to an exceptional research scientist from Ireland or based on the island of Ireland who has made an exceptional contribution to the field of neuroscience. 

“We have lost an exceptional academic and, more importantly, a wonderful person who was kind, considerate and respectful to everyone he met. We are very fortunate to have worked with him, been taught by him, mentored by him, befriended by him and inspired by him. He will be greatly missed.”

Previous Awardees

Tom Connor Distinguished Investigator Award

2022: Prof. Geraldine Boylan, UCC

2020: Prof. Orla Hardiman, TCD

2019: Prof. Ray Dolan, UCL

2017: Prof. John Cryan, UCC

2015: Prof. Paul Kenny, USA

2013: Prof. Marina Lynch, TCD

2012: Prof. John Foxe, USA

2011: Prof. Brian Leonard, NUI Galway

Early Career Investigator Award

The Award is presented to an outstanding research scientist who has made exciting basic science or clinical contributions to the field of neuroscience. Nominees for this award must be members of the Society, be within 8 years of receiving their terminal degree (PhD or MD), and not yet in an academic position.

2022: Dr Roisin McMackin, TCD

2020: Dr Peter Murphy, TCD

2018: Dr Kathy Ruddy, TCD

2016: Dr. Shane Hegarty, UCC

2013: Dr. Eric Downer, UCC

2012: Dr. Tobias Engel, RCSI