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Rules of Eligibility
Entrants must have finished their Ph.D.-level education within the last 10 years (counted as calendar year from date of graduation) and must hold an M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., Pharm.D., or combination of these degrees at the time of entry. If the applicant has more than one advanced degree, the 10 years are counted from the year that all degrees were completed in the case of uninterrupted training, such as a dual degree M.D.-Ph.D. program.
Eligibility extensions:
• Maternity: 18 months extension per child born during the eligibility period up to a maximum of three years.
• Other parental or medical leave: up to two years will be granted based on documented leave. Applicants should indicate they qualify for an extension in the application and documents will be requested during evaluation.
Text generated from AI, machine learning, or similar algorithmic tools cannot be used to generate 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.
Although 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. The applicant must have done or directed all the work described in the essay, and some part of the research must have been published in a peer-reviewed publication within the past three years.
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 https://www.science.org/content/page/prizes-and-awards.
The Grand Prize Winner Receives:
The Grand Prize winner will be awarded a cash prize of $25,000 US, and be provided travel and accommodation for the awards ceremony, if applicable. As well, they will receive a 5 year digital subscription to Science, and have their winning essay published in Science, both in print and online.
Runner(s) Up Receives:
Up to two runner(s) up will receive $10,000 US, and be provided travel and accommodation for the awards ceremony, if applicable. As well, they will receive a 5 year digital subscription to Science, and their essay will be published in Science online.
The selected Grand Prize winner and Runners-Up will have an opportunity to be teamed up with the business development team for evaluation of their eligibility for any BII programs. If eligible, they will receive assistance for submission of a proposal to BII. All processes, rules and policies related to such programs and all obligations related to selection and granting thereof are the sole responsibility of BII.
Deadline for Submissions: November 1, 2026
Click here to apply for the 2027 BioInnovation Institute and Science Prize for Innovation