Building the next generation of pioneers in science

Michelson Prizes & Grants in Human Immunology

Michelson Prizes are awarded to research that is highly innovative and impactful, with the potential to be applied across many diseases. While awards are focused on immunology, vaccines and immunotherapy discovery, applicants from the full spectrum of related disciplines, including clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer and data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, biophysics, nanotechnology, etc., are encouraged to apply.

Michelson Prizes:
Next Generation Grants

Launched in 2017, the Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants reward early-career investigators who use disruptive concepts and inventive processes to significantly advance human immunology, vaccine discovery, and immunotherapy research for major global diseases.

Award Details

$150,000 / 1-year grants to support research
Judged on innovation and potential impact
Researchers 35 years of age and under are eligible

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— Dr. Rong Ma, 2021 Michelson Prizes Recipient

“As an early career researcher, the support from the Michelson Prize will give me a lot of independence, as well as the peace of mind to focus solely on this research. It allows me to pursue the high-risk/high-reward project of developing a novel assay for new antigen and new antigen-specific T cell identification.”

— Dr. Gary K Michelson

“Five things are needed to do great science: intellect, knowledge, imagination, courage, and perseverance.”

Michelson Philanthropies & Science Prize for Immunology

The Michelson Philanthropies & Science Prize for Immunology recognized research with the potential to significantly impact vaccine and immunotherapy development. In partnership with Science/AAAS, Michelson Philanthropies honored breakthrough research conducted within the previous three years, with applications evaluated for innovation and potential impact.

Through this prize, young scientists advanced their research projects, gained a prestigious platform to publish their work in Science, and connected with fellow innovators through the Michelson Prizes alumni network.

This prize is no longer offered following the conclusion of the partnership with Science/AAAS.

Dr. Bill Moran, publisher of Science

“This partnership with Michelson Philanthropies is one way for us to give back to the scientific community and try to recognize some of the issues and concerns over traditional funding in this area for early-career researchers.”