The Darwin–Wallace Medal

Awarded to a person or group who have made major advances in evolutionary science.

Previously awarded to commemorate the 50th,100th and 150th anniversaries of the reading of the joint paper by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace 'On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection', which was read on 1 July 1858, and published by the Linnean Society. In 2025 the Council of the Society mandated that the Darwin-Wallace Medal would be awarded at three-year intervals, beginning in 2026.

Nominations are now closed. Nominations will re-open in summer 2028. If you are interested in making a nomination and would like more information, please contact nominations@linnean.org.

• Open to any scientist of any nationality, in the field of the understanding of evolution
• For their major advances in evolutionary science and contribution to the wider natural history community, e.g. editorial and/or committee/policy work/public engagement
• Nominee cannot, at the time of nomination, be a member of Council
• Nominee does not need to be a Fellow of the Society
• We do not accept self-nominations
• Nominations cannot be made by a family member of the nominee

The Darwin-Wallace Medal is not being awarded in 2026.