The Michelson Prizes are annual awards of $150,000, which support young investigators under the age of 35 who use disruptive concepts and inventive processes to significantly advance human immunology and vaccine and immunotherapy discovery research for major global diseases.  The Prizes are funded by the Michelson Medical Research Foundation and overseen by the Human Vaccines Project — the application window for the 2021 Prizes will run from April 1 – June 18, 2021.

The 2021 Michelson Prizes will be looking for research proposals in two areas:

  • Human Immunology and Vaccine Research: The committee will be looking for research to tackle the current roadblocks in human vaccine development and expand our limited understanding of key immune processes fundamental to successful vaccine and immunotherapy development.
  • Climate Change and Human Immunology: The committee is looking for research that expands our understanding of climate change’s potential effects on immune function with a particular interest in research that will directly translate into vaccine and immunotherapy development to mitigate its impact.

While the Michelson Prizes are focused on research in the fields of immunology, vaccine and immunotherapy discovery, applicants from the full spectrum of related disciplines, including clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence/machine learning, biophysics, environmental health, nanotechnology, etc., are encouraged to apply.

More information: Michelson Prizes – Human Vaccines Project

Information for applicants

Applications for the 2021 Michelson Prizes will be accepted from April 1, 2021 — June 18, 2021.

Applicants must be 35 or younger at the time of pre-application submission. Early career independent investigators, postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows (including residents and interns), and other researchers currently in training positions are eligible for these awards. Eligible applicants must be employed by, or affiliated with, an eligible organization. Examples of eligible organizations include academia, biotechnology companies, foundations, government and non-governmental organizations, and research institutes.