Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists
The prize is awarded annually to one young scientist for outstanding life science research for which they were awarded a doctoral degree in the previous two years. The topic of the entrant’s thesis research must be in one of the following categories: Cell and Molecular Biology; Genomics, Proteomics, and Systems Biology approaches; Ecology and Environment; Molecular Medicine. Eligible entrants must have been awarded their doctoral degree in 2019 or 2020, and the subject of their thesis should match one of the Subject Tracks below. The winners from each category will compete for the grand prize.
Prize money: USD 30,000 for the grand prize winner, USD 10,000 for each of the category winners.
ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES, AND ANY OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES, ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECEIPT OR USE OF THE PRIZE ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNER.
Publication: The grand prize winning essay will be published in Science, and essays from the each of the category winners will be published online.
Application deadline: 15 July 2021
Rules of Eligibility
- The research described in the entrant’s thesis must fall within one of the following categories (Subject Tracks):
- 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, including 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.
- The prize will only recognize work that was performed while the entrant was a graduate student.
- The prize will be awarded without regard to sex, race, or nationality.
- Employees of Science/AAAS, collaborators in the management or sponsorship of this prize and their relatives, as well as the following are not eligible to enter:
- Scientists who were Ph.D. students in the groups of any past or present member of the SciLifeLab management group (SciLifeLab Director, Co-Director, Infrastructure Director and Scientific Directors), the Integration Directors, or any member of the SciLifeLab Board.
- Entrants for the 2021 prize must have been awarded their Ph.D. between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020. As a rule, we will only accept submissions once within this time period.
Procedures for Entry
The entrant must submit the following items:
- A completed Entry Form.
- An essay, written by the entrant, describing the thesis work and its implications for research in the selected Subject Track. The essay must not exceed 1,000 words in length and may include one figure or table.
- A one-page reference letter from your advisor or a member of your thesis committee. The letter should include an assessment of the applicant and comment on the significance of the applicant’s research.
- The abstract of the thesis (not to exceed four double-spaced typed pages).
- A list of the following:
- Full citations of all published or in-press papers on the research described in the essay;
- Academic and professional awards and honors that the entrant has received; and
- Relevant professional experience.
The Entry Form and additional submission materials must be submitted electronically through our prize-management system here.
Below is a timeline for the prize-selection process. You will be contacted only if there are additional materials or information needed.
August/September: Compilation and Review of Submissions
October/November: Selection of Prize Winner
December: Announcement of Prize Winner & Awards Ceremony in Stockholm
Deadline for Entries
15 July 2021
Judging Procedures
First, Science editors will screen the essays and select three finalists from each Subject Track. Next, a committee of scientists chaired by the Editor-in-Chief of Science will select a winner for each Subject Track. The four winners will then compete for the grand prize. The grand prize winner and three category winners will be decided by October. Science will control both the evaluation process and the announcement of the winners.