Eppendorf and Science Prize for Neurobiology 2026

Sponsor

Eppendorf and the journal Science/AAAS

Description

Eppendorf and Science/AAAS established this international prize in 2002. The Prize is intended to encourage and support the work of promising young neurobiologists who are not older than 35 years. It is awarded annually to one young scientist for the most outstanding neurobiological research based on methods of molecular, cellular, systems or organismic biology conducted during the past three years, as described in a 1,000-word entrance essay.

Eligibility

Eligibility:

• The Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology is an international research prize.
• Entrants must be an early-career neurobiologist who holds an advanced degree received in the last 10 years and not older than 35 years of age at the time of entry.
• The entrant's essay must describe contributions to neurobiological research based on methods of molecular, cellular, systems or organismic biology.
• The entrant must have performed or directed the work described in the essay.
• The research must have been performed during the previous three years.
• Text generated from AI, machine learning, or similar algorithmic tools cannot be used to generate or edit the submission nor its accompanying figures, images or graphics. Limited editing with tools such as Grammarly is acceptable but must be declared.  During submission, entrants will be required to declare they have not used AI inconsistent with this requirement. Entrants are accountable for the accuracy of the entry and for ensuring that there is no plagiarism. They must also ensure that all sources are appropriately cited and should carefully review the work to guard against bias that may be introduced by AI. Editors may decline to consider an entry if AI is used inappropriately.
• While the research may be part of a larger team effort, an eligible entrant must be a single individual and the essay must focus on their contribution.
• An entrant may not win more than one Science prize using the same essay or a similar essay on the same research.
• Essays on the same research cannot win more than one Science prize regardless of who the entrant is.
• Past winners of a Science prize cannot be eligible for another Science prize until at least 5 years have passed since the award.  For a full list of Science prizes please see the Science Prizes and Awards web-page.
• Employees of the Eppendorf group, Science and AAAS and their relatives are not eligible for the prize.

Prize

The winner of the Eppendorf and Science Prize for Neurobiology is awarded US$25,000. The grand prize winner‘s essay is also published in Science and Science Online. Furthermore, the winner receives a complimentary 5-year AAAS Membership, a 5-year digital subscription to Science as well as $1,000USD in complimentary Eppendorf products.

The award is announced and presented at a ceremony in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Eppendorf provides full support for the grand prize winner to attend this event. The winner is also invited for a later trip to Hamburg to visit Eppendorf.

Up to three finalist essays are also published on Science Online. The finalists receive full support to attend the prize ceremony. Furthermore, the finalists receive a complimentary 5-year AAAS Membership, a 5-year digital subscription to Science as well as $1,000USD in complimentary Eppendorf products.

How to Apply

Nominations are submitted directly to the Eppendorf and Science Prize for Neurobiology web-page. Please also submit a copy of the full nomination and OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca by the external deadline.

For More Information

For more information, contact kkariyap@uoguelph.ca or eppendorfscienceprize@aaas.org. Please also see the Eppendorf and Science Prize for Neurobiology web-page.