Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants
Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants are $150,000 research grants given annually to support promising researchers applying disruptive concepts and inventive processes to advance human immunology, vaccine discovery, and immunotherapy research for major global diseases.
Applications for the 2024 Michelson Prizes are currently under review.
In Partnership with
About the Prize
Through a collaboration with the Human Immunome Project, Michelson Medical Research Foundation seeks to unravel the complexity of the human immune system, accelerating the development of vaccines and therapies for some of the world’s most threatening diseases.
The Michelson Prizes is looking for research proposals for human immunology and vaccine research. The committee will look for research aimed at tackling the current roadblocks that exist in human vaccine development and expanding our limited understanding of key immune processes that are fundamental to successful vaccine and immunotherapy development.
While the Michelson Prizes are focused on research in the fields of immunology, vaccine, and immunotherapy discovery, applicants from the full spectrum of related disciplines, including clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence/machine learning, biophysics, nanotechnology, etc., are encouraged to apply.
Application Criteria Details
$150,000 / 1-year grants to support research
Judged on innovation and potential impact
Research proposals must be on the topic of human immunology and vaccine development
Researchers 35 years of age and under are eligible
The 2025 Next Generation Grants will open in April 2025.
"For the Michelson Prize, the committee was looking for high-risk, high-reward projects that were going to change the field. That type of project wouldn't be fundable through conventional grant schemes, for which you must do the risk mitigation beforehand. A nice thing about the philanthropic funding was they just wanted to invest in an idea that hadn't been done before."
— Danika Hill, 2020 Michelson Prizes Winner
Apply for the Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants
The Michelson Prizes application process is open to researchers 35 years old and younger who are working on human immunology and vaccine development, with an aim to tackle roadblocks in human vaccine development and expand our understanding of key immune processes.
“Viral Fc receptors as vaccine antigens for prevention of congenital CMV”
Michelson Prizes Laureate Dr. Claire Otero’s research involves creating an effective vaccine for cytomegalovirus or CMV.
“Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of rotavirus-ETEC dual vaccines”
Michelson Prizes Laureate Dr. Siyuan Ding’s proposed research seeks to develop a combined vaccine for the leading viral and bacterial agents that cause infant diarrhea.
Next Generation Grants Recipients
