King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain recently traveled to Alicante to attend the National Research Awards ceremony. This year’s edition introduced a new element – mirroring prizes for young
people in each of the traditional categories. The ceremony was held at Casa Mediterráneo and was attended by the Minister for Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, and other authorities.
The event began with a video presentation detailing the history of the awards scheme and the current organization behind it. Minister Morant then gave a brief address. King Felipe and Queen Letizia then took the stage to present the awards to the deserving recipients, including the young prize-winners.
The traditional categories for the National Research Awards include Biology, Engineering and Architecture, Humanities, Medicine and Health Science, Science and Technology of Natural Resources, Physical, Material and Earth Sciences, Chemical Science and Technology, Technology Transfer, Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology, and Rights and Economic and Social Sciences.
After the awards ceremony, the attendees participated in a roundtable discussion on technology and innovation in the healthcare sector. The discussion was led by some of the country’s most prominent voices in this field.
King Felipe then addressed the audience, highlighting how he and the Queen had recently attended the National Award for Culture in Zaragoza and the Innovation and Design Awards in Áviles. He emphasized the country's excellent potential and talent across different domains, which is crucial for society. The King expressed his pride in the recipients, knowing that they are at the forefront of Spain's society.
Before leaving for Madrid, King Felipe and Queen Letizia had an informal meeting with the attendees, including the award recipients.
The National Research Awards were established in 1982 to recognize and highlight the work of scientists achieving excellence in their respective fields, both in Spain and internationally. Each category is assigned €30,000, which may be divided in case of multiple recipients.
In conclusion, the National Research Awards are an excellent platform for recognizing outstanding scientific research in Spain. The addition of mirroring prizes for young people in each category is a progressive step towards encouraging and acknowledging young talent in the field. The King and Queen's presence at the ceremony shows their commitment to promoting scientific excellence and supporting the country's growth and development. Photo by Presidencia de la República Mexicana, Wikimedia.