Miguel Araújo was selected by a panel including 23 Nobel Prizes to receive the 2016 King James I Prize in the category of environmental protection. Miguel won this award for his research on the effects of climate change on biodiversity and for his science dissemination and outreach activities.

The King James I Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in Spain. It is awarded every year to five outstanding scientists in fundamental research, economy, environmental protection, medical sciences, and new technologies, and a sixth prize is awarded to outstanding entrepreneurs.

The Prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and a financial contribution of 100,000 euros. “I am deeply honoured by this award, which is the outcome of working persistently for almost 20 years in biodiversity conservation and the biogeography of climate change “, says Araújo. “It is also a recognition of the societal importance of the work we have been conducting in the lab in collaboration with colleagues around the world; as such, it is a strong incentive to carry on”.

The 2016 King James I Prizes was awarded on the 24th of November 2016 in Valencia in a ceremony presided by majesties The King and Queen of Spain, Filipe VI and Letitia Ortiz.