[2] The medal was created in 1989 to honor the memory of physicist Dennis Gabor, and was originally awarded biennially.
[3] Initially awarded "for acknowledged distinction of work in the life sciences, particularly in the fields of genetic engineering and molecular biology", the criteria for the awarding of the medal were later changed to its current definition.
[2] The medal is targeted at "emerging early to mid career stage scientist[s]" and is accompanied by a £2000 prize since 2017.
All citizens who have been residents of either United Kingdom, Commonwealth of Nations, or the Republic of Ireland for more than three years are eligible for the medal.
[2] The Gabor Medal was first awarded in 1989 to Noreen Murray for her pioneering work in genetic engineering.