Deadline: July 15, 2026
Applications are invited for the Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists 2026. The Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists was established in 2013. A global Prize aimed at rewarding scientists at an early stage of their careers.
Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and SciLifeLab, joined forces in creating the Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists to recognize excellence amongst young researchers from around the world. The Prize was launched with the vision to recognize that global economic health is dependent upon a vibrant research community. A vision that will only come true if we encourage our best and brightest to continue in their chosen fields of research.
Categories
- Cell and Molecular Biology: Research in this category includes cellular and molecular processes at levels ranging from single molecule to single cell to tissue and organ systems.
- Genomics, Proteomics and Systems Biology Approaches: Research in this category focuses on genomics, proteomics, integrative omics and systems biology approaches, inlcuding computational, to facilitate comprehensive understanding of living cells, organisms and species.
- Ecology and Environment: Research in this category encompasses interactions between organisms and their environment, and how these processes are influenced by human activity
- Molecular Medicine: Research in this category aims at building on the molecular understanding of disease in humans to develop preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including individualized medicine.
Prize
- The grand prize winner receives $30,000 USD and each of the other three category winners receives $10,000 USD.
- In addition, the grand prize winning essay is published in Science magazine and each of the other three winning essays are published at Science online.
- Furthermore, all four of the award winners are invited to Sweden for the prize ceremony, held the same week as the Nobel Prize ceremony, attend a scientific symposium to present their work, and be invited to a series of social events in which they are able to network with notable scientific researchers in their fields. Each winner may also bring one guest to the festivities.
Eligibility
- Entrants for the prize must have received their Ph.D. between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024.
- Entrants may only apply once within this time period, and the work described in the entry must have been performed while the entrant was a graduate student.
- The prize is open to residents of all nations without regard to sex or race.
Application
- In addition to completing an online entry form applicants must submit an essay describing their thesis work in one of the qualified categories. The essay cannot exceed 1,000 words in length and may include one figure or table.
- Applicants must also submit a one-page reference letter from their advisor or a member of their thesis committee with an assessment of the applicant and comment on the significance of the applicant’s research.
- In addition, a list of citations, awards and relevant professional experience should be included, as well as an abstract of the thesis.
For more information, visit Science & SciLifeLab Prize.
