Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists

The Science and SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists is an international award program established in 2013 through a collaboration between the American Association for the Advancement of Science and SciLifeLab, a Swedish national life science research center. The program is designed to recognize and support early career scientists who have recently completed doctoral research in the life sciences. It reflects a shared mission by both organizations to strengthen the global scientific ecosystem by encouraging promising researchers at a critical stage in their careers. The prize underscores the importance of sustaining innovation and research capacity in the face of economic and professional challenges encountered by emerging scientists. The primary purpose of the prize is to reward outstanding doctoral research contributions across four major life science disciplines: Cell and Molecular Biology, Genomics Proteomics and Systems Biology approaches, Ecology and Environment, and Molecular Medicine. Eligible applicants must have earned their PhD within the defined eligibility window and must submit an essay describing their thesis research and its broader implications. The program emphasizes originality, scientific rigor, and the potential impact of the research on advancing knowledge and addressing global challenges in health, environment, and biological systems. Funding is provided in the form of direct monetary prizes rather than project-based grants. Each year, four winners are selected, including one Grand Prize winner who receives 30000 USD and three category winners who each receive 10000 USD. In addition to financial support, recipients gain significant professional recognition. The Grand Prize winning essay is published in the journal Science, while the category winners’ essays are published online. Winners are also invited to participate in a formal award ceremony and scientific events in Sweden, offering networking opportunities with leading researchers and exposure to the global scientific community. Eligibility is limited to individual applicants who completed their doctoral degree within the specified timeframe, specifically between January 1 2024 and December 31 2025 for the current cycle. The research must have been conducted during the applicant’s graduate studies and must align with one of the designated subject tracks. Applicants must submit their own original work, and the use of artificial intelligence tools for generating submission content is prohibited beyond limited editing assistance. Additional restrictions exclude individuals affiliated with SciLifeLab leadership groups or prior winners of Science prizes within a defined period. The application process requires submission of multiple components through an online system. Applicants must provide a completed entry form, a research essay of up to 1000 words, a thesis abstract, a list of publications and achievements, and a one page reference letter from an academic advisor or committee member. The submission must clearly articulate the significance of the research and its contribution to the selected field. Essays are evaluated first by Science editors who shortlist finalists, followed by a scientific committee that selects category winners and the overall Grand Prize recipient. The timeline for the prize follows an annual cycle. Submissions for the current round close on July 15 2026. Following submission, the review process takes place between August and November, with winners selected by October or November. The official announcement and award ceremony occur in December in Stockholm. The program operates on a recurring annual basis, reinforcing its role as a sustained global recognition platform for emerging scientific talent. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program via the official email SciLifeLabPrize at aaas dot org. While no formal grant performance period applies due to the prize structure, the award provides both immediate financial support and long term professional benefits. The recurring nature of the program and its established international reputation make it a significant opportunity for recent doctoral graduates seeking recognition and advancement in the life sciences.