The 2024 National Research Awards achieve record numbers of female participation.

The Royal Palace of El Pardo hosted the presentation of the 2024 National Research Awards this Wednesday, a historic edition as it was the most equal to date. With the presence of His Majesty the King and led by the Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities, Diana Morant, the ceremony celebrated the ten researchers awarded in the main category and ten other young scientists distinguished for their emerging contributions.

Morant emphasized that this year's edition "has more women awardees than ever before" and underscored the importance of their visibility in the scientific establishment: "Your leadership and visibility are more important today than ever," she told the audience. In total, five women and five men were recognized in the main category, and seven women and three men in the young category.

According to the minister, this increase in female representation is due to a regulatory change promoted by the Ministry, which requires equal representation from proposing institutions and centers. "This is a representation that reflects the reality of a scientific system where there is already parity," Morant noted, although she also acknowledged that women persist underrepresentation in leadership positions.

In this edition, 347 applications were received for the main category, with 57% of applications submitted by women (199) versus 43% by men (148). In the youth category, aimed at those under 40, 207 applications were submitted, of which 129 were from women and 78 from men.

During her speech, the minister emphasized the government's commitment to science and innovation as pillars of economic and social development. "In just seven years, our country has gone from cutting back to investing like never before in science and innovation," she stated, noting that investment in R&D will exceed €22.3 billion in 2023, representing a 50% increase compared to 2018.

Morant also highlighted the job stabilization process at Public Research Organizations (OPIs), the largest in history, which has allowed for the regularization of the status of more than 2,300 professionals. "It has been the result of a firm political decision in favor of science and unwavering social support," he asserted.

In broader terms, he emphasized that this commitment has contributed to the country's strong economic momentum, with historic lows in poverty and inequality and record employment figures. In this context, the R&D sector is, in his words, "the fastest-growing in Spain."

"We are building a new knowledge economy, where talent can develop, innovate, and consolidate scientific advances. Spain needs you, celebrates you, and vindicates you," the minister concluded, addressing the award winners.

The National Research Awards, created in 1982, are the highest scientific honor granted in Spain. They recognize careers of international excellence in ten areas of knowledge. Each award is endowed with a prize of 30,000 euros.

The 2024 award winners are:

- Isabel Fariñas Gómez, in Biology ("Santiago Ramón y Cajal")

- Eugenio Oñate Ibáñez de Navarra, in Engineering and Architecture ("Leonardo Torres Quevedo")

- Gloria Corpas Pastor, in Humanities ("Ramón Menéndez Pidal")

- Carmen Ayuso García, in Medicine and Health Sciences ("Gregorio Marañón")

- Miquel Canals Artigas, in Natural Resources Sciences ("Alejandro Malaspina")

- Carmen García García, in Physical, Materials and Earth Sciences ("Blas Cabrera")

- Tomás Torres Cebada, in Chemical Science and Technology ("Enrique Moles")

- Ramón Martínez Máñez, in Knowledge Transfer ("Juan de la Cierva")

- Xavier Tolsa Domènech, in Mathematics and ICT ("Julio Rey Pastor")

- Núria Sebastián Gallés, in Law and Social Sciences ("Pascual Madoz")

In the young researchers category, also endowed with 30,000 euros, significant contributions are recognized at the early stages of a scientific career. The ten winners in 2024 are:

- Jerónimo Carlos Rodríguez Beltrán, in Biology ("Margarita Salas")

- Víctor Vilarrasa Riaño, in Engineering and Architecture ("Matilde Ucelay")

- Cristina Blanco Sió-López, in Humanities ("María Moliner")

- Patricia Altea Manzano, in Medicine and Health Sciences ("Gabriella Morreale")

- Rosa Mª Fernández García, in Natural Resources Sciences ("Ángeles Alvariño")

- Beatriz Pelaz García, in Physical, Materials and Earth Sciences ("Felisa Martín Bravo")

- María Escudero Escribano, in Chemical Science and Technology ("María Teresa Toral")

- Aitor Villafranca Velasco, in Knowledge Transfer ("Ángela Ruiz Robles")

- Verónica Bolón Canedo, in Mathematics and ICT (“María Andresa Casamayor”)

- Mar Reguant Rido, in Law and Social Sciences ("Clara Campoamor")