Dr Martin Vancoppenolle has been awarded the WCRP/WWRP International Prize for Model Development 2017
We are pleased to announce that Dr Martin Vancoppenolle (Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat, Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace, CNRS, France) has been awarded the WCRP/WWRP International Prize for Model Development 2017.
The Prize Committee, consisting of representatives from WCRP, the World Weather Research Programme (WWRP), and the Working Group on Numerical Experimentation (WGNE) was greatly impressed by his strong profile and the outstanding quality of his contributions to weather and climate model development.
In making the selection, the Committee considered a range of criteria, including the importance of the contribution in the field, but also the community impact and supporting statements by referees. The Committee was faced with the difficult task of making a selection from a range of impressive nominations, and it expresses appreciation to all nominees, proposers and seconders for the numerous and high-quality applications received.
The Selection Committee further decided to award two honorable mentions to Dr Ian Boutle from the UK Met Office and to Lucas Harris from NOAA GFDL for their strong profile and important contributions to weather and climate related model development.
WCRP and WWRP established the Prize in recognition of the essential role model development plays in weather and climate science. It is awarded annually for an outstanding contribution to model development by an early- to mid-career researcher. It comprises a certificate signed by the Chairs of the WCRP JSC and WWRP SSC as well as funding for the recipient to present the results of their research at a major relevant conference or meeting of their choice.
Call for Nominations – due 1 October 2017
As the demand for more accurate regional weather and seasonal predictions as well as climate projections increases the need to improve the weather and climate models that underpin those predictions and projections becomes more urgent.
In recognition of the essential role model development plays to weather and climate science, the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and the World Weather Research Programme (WWRP) are seeking nominations for the “WCRP/WWRP International Prize for Model Development”. The prize will be awarded annually to an early- to mid-career researcher for an outstanding contribution to model development of the Earth System, of its components and their coupling. It comprises a certificate signed by the Chairs of the WCRP JSC and WWRP SSC as well as funding for the recipient to present the results of their research at a major relevant conference or meeting of their choice.
Selection Criteria:
Candidates should:
- Be within the first ten years of their career as measured by receipt of a PhD or equivalent highest qualification
- Have made a significant contribution to the development of a model with a demonstrable impact on the model results
- Have made a significant contribution to the wider community such as publications, editorships, organizing/convening activities, operational implementation or strong engagement in national and international modelling programmes
Selection process:
The candidates should be nominated by filling in the nomination form (.docx). This includes a statement from the proposer (preferably a person with a good knowledge of the candidates work) and as well as from a seconder. These statements should specifically address the above criteria. This should be supported by up to 3 papers or technical notes documenting the model improvement and evidence of the candidate’s individual contribution, as well as the candidate’s CV.
Nominations should be sent by email to the WCRP (
If no suitable candidate is found, the prize will not be awarded.