The International Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology

The Prize 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 3 years.

Rules of Eligibility

• The entrant must be an early career neurobiologist who holds an advanced degree [M.D., Ph.D., or an M.D./Ph.D.] received in the last 10 years and who is 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 3 years.
• 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.
• 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 here.
• Employees of the Eppendorf Group, Science and AAAS, and their relatives are not eligible for the prize.

* The eligibility threshold can be extended for the following documented circumstances:

• Maternity leave: 18 months extension for each child born. If the applicants can document a longer total maternity leave, the eligibility period will be extended by the documented time of actual leave(s) for all children taken.
• Paternity leave: extension by the documented time of paternity leave for each child born.
• Disability, long-term illness (absence from academic activity of more than six consecutive months in a year).
• National or civilian service: extension by the documented amount of leave taken by the applicant.
• Clinical training: extension by the documented time of clinical training received by the applicant up to a maximum of 2 years.

The grand prize winner of the Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology is selected along with up to three finalists by an independent board of scientists that is chaired by Science's senior Editor, Dr. Peter Stern. The winner is awarded US$ 25,000. This is a personal gift. The grand prize winner's essay is published inScience and on Science Online. Furthermore, the winner receives a complimentary subscription to Scienceand Science Online and US$ 1,000 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.

The finalists also receive full support to attend the prize ceremony and receive complimentary Eppendorf products worth US$ 1,000 and a five-year subscription to Science and Science Online. The finalist essays are published on Science Online.