The Michelson Prizes are scientific awards of $150,000 given annually to young investigators who are applying disruptive research concepts and inventive processes to advance vaccine and immunotherapy research for major global diseases.
The application cycle for the 2020 Michelson Prizes will begin August 2019.
Applications for the 2019 Michelson Prizes are currently under review.
Prizes will be awarded in three focus areas:
Human Immunology
This focus area is aimed at research tackling the current roadblocks that exist in human vaccine development and expanding our limited understanding of key immune processes that are fundamental to successful vaccine and immunotherapeutics development, (e.g., immune memory, immune receptor recognition, tissue-specific responses, host-microbe interactions, underlying genetic mechanisms, genetic susceptibility, etc.).
Computational Biology and Protein Engineering
This focus area targets research that utilizes bioinformatics, theoretical methods, mathematical modeling, machine learning and/or computational approaches to elucidate protein structures involved in immune recognition, immunogenicity, protein-ligand interactions, or other biological functions related to the human immune response. Other areas of research that will be considered for funding include protein design studies with the intent of generating novel structures and/or function for the development of antigens or adjuvants, and/or for modulating or targeting host proteins to elicit increased or more specific immune response(s).
Neglected Parasitic Diseases
This focus area is aimed at research on antigen discovery, immune response mechanisms, and the development and testing of vaccines and immunotherapeutic agents for neglected parasitic diseases. This award is designed to foster research of human parasitic diseases that traditionally have been difficult to study due to antigen complexity and multifaceted host-parasite interactions. NB: This award will not fund malaria research.
All focus areas are aimed at supporting research with the potential to transform vaccine and immunotherapy discovery.
A distinguished committee of internationally recognized scientists is reviewing applications. They are looking for applicants who clearly articulate a vision that challenges current dogma and demonstrates an ability to make a lasting impact on vaccine and immunotherapy research.
The Prizes will be awarded as part of an annual scientific conference on the Future of Vaccine Discovery, which brings together top scientists across disciplines and disease areas.
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