The aim of the Prize is to recognise an exceptional scientific career or discovery in the field of ecological science that has contributed to significant progress in scientific knowledge or thought, or to the development of theoretical instruments for the good management of natural resources on land or in the sea.
The Prize may be awarded either to living individuals (the Prize is not awarded posthumously), or to legal persons or groups from all over the world that, through their scientific career and teaching, have made significant contributions to the development of the ecological sciences or to their conceptual advancement and application aimed at the sustainable management of natural resources on land or in the sea.
Candidatures may be submitted by representatives of university institutions, superior schools, research centres or academies that are either devoted to science or have science divisions, by persons who have been awarded the Prize in previous years or by persons who have been members of the Prize Jury.
Candidature proposals, accompanied by a curriculum vitae and explanatory letter or note signed by the person responsible for their submission should be addressed to the Technical Secretariat of the Ramon Margalef Prize, Presidential Department of the Government of Catalonia, and received by 15 May 2009. The content of candidatures to be submitted may be sent in advance by email to the Prize Secretariat or by filling in and sending the form on the Prize website.
The successful candidate will receive a prize of one hundred thousand euros (100,000) and a unique trophy dedicated to the memory of Ramon Margalef.
The Prize is awarded annually.
The Jury, assisted by the non-voting Technical Secretary, will decide the winning candidature by majority. The Jury's decision shall be final.
The winner will be announced by the Board of Management, and the prize will be awarded at an academic ceremony in Barcelona.