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 in partnership with Human Immunome Project, 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

— 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 recognizes research that will have a significant impact on vaccine and immunotherapy development. Together with Science/AAAS, MP awards breakthrough research from the past three years. The applications are judged on innovation and potential impact.

With these prizes, young scientists have the opportunity to advance their research projects, provide a renowned platform in Science to publish their work and connect with other innovators through the Michelson Prizes alumni network.

Award Details

  • One $30,000 grand prize, and two $10,000 runner-up awards for research conducted in the past 3 years

  • Judged on Science editorial standards and potential long-term impact

  • Researchers 35 years of age and under are eligible

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.”

Recent Michelson Prizes Winners

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