The Software Sustainability Institute is pleased to announce that the Green RSE Award is returning for 2026! 

The award is designed to recognise individuals making outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability in research software. The award was launched last year, and the inaugural award was presented at RSECon25 to Andy Turner (EPCC) for his contributions to sustainability in research computing. 

This Green RSE award is run by the Green RSE Special interest group in collaboration with SocRSE. 

Nominations for the 2026 award are now open! Know someone that is doing great work in this area? Nominate them using a short form.

As pressure grows on research organisations to reduce their environmental footprint, Research Software Engineers are increasingly central to that effort; developing tools and practices that improve the energy efficiency of computation and data-intensive science. The Green RSE Award highlights this work, which can otherwise go unrecognised. Contributions may include energy-efficient software design, sustainable infrastructure choices, or advocacy and community leadership around greener digital research.

Nominations are open to anyone in the RSE community and will be assessed on environmental impact, creativity, community influence, and openness. 

The winner will be announced at RSECon26 and will receive a £100 prize. 

Nominations close 13 July 2026.