Entry details & judging procedures

Rules of eligibility

• The Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology is an international research prize.
• Entrants must be an early career neurobiologist who holds an advanced degree (M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D.) received in the last 10 years and you are 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 three years.
• Text generated from AI, machine learning, or similar algorithmic tools cannot be used to generate or edit 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. https://www.science.org/content/page/prizes-and-awards .
• 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.

Procedures for entry

All entrants must submit the following items in English:

• A completed entry form
• An essay written by the entrant that describes research with relevance to and in keeping with current methods and advances in the field of neurobiology. The essay must not exceed 1,000 words in length. The applicant must have done or directed all of the work and this work must have been performed in the past three years.
• A one-page letter of recommendation from his/her postdoctoral adviser, supervisor, or other senior colleague who is familiar with the entrant's work.
• A Curriculum Vitae that includes the following:

1. Full citations of papers that the entrant has published on the research described in the essay;
2. Academic and professional awards and honors that the entrant has received; and
3. Relevant professional experience
4. Copies of two of the entrant's papers that are most relevant to the essay

The entry form and additional submission materials must be submitted electronically through the prize management system .

Below is a timeline for the prize selection process. You will be contacted only if there are additional materials or information needed. Please note: If your contact information changes after submission then you must inform eppendorfscienceprize@aaas.org or call +1 202326 6513.

June-August: Compilation and review of submissions
November: Announcement of winner and Prize ceremony


The winner and finalists will be informed no later than the end of August. All applicants will be informed by the end of October. The winner and finalists will be officially announced at the prize ceremony.

Deadline for entries

June 15, 2026

Judging procedures

Editors from Science are responsible for the initial evaluation of the essays. The top 10 percent of the essays are forwarded to the judging panel. The judging panel is composed of prominent international researchers in the field of neurobiology and is chaired by Science's Senior Editor, Dr. Peter Stern. Most of the judges are appointed based on nominations from the Society for Neuroscience. The essays are rated in two areas: scientific quality and significance, and clarity and style of the writing.

Contact information

Selection Committee for the
Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology
Science
Attention: Maryrose Madrid, Rm. 1049B
1200 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
United States
Phone: +1 202326 6513E-mail address: eppendorfscienceprize@aaas.org