Young researchers on the front lines of global health now have a chance to secure major funding for high-stakes medical research.
The Michelson Medical Research Foundation is officially calling for innovators to apply for the 2026 Michelson Prizes: Next Generation Grants.
These prizes aim to solve the human immune system’s greatest puzzles by supporting work that tackles current roadblocks in vaccine development and immunotherapy.
By funding inventive processes, the foundation hopes to accelerate life-saving therapies for the world’s most threatening diseases.
Funding and benefits
Successful applicants will receive a $150,000 grant to support their research for a full year.
Unlike traditional funding, these grants prioritize “high-risk, high-reward” projects that might be considered too experimental for conventional grant schemes.
The funding is specifically designed to allow researchers to pursue disruptive concepts that could change the field of immunology.
Past winners have used these awards to explore diverse topics, from using artificial intelligence to detect microbial expression to genetically engineering immune cells to fight cancer.
Application requirements and eligibility
The competition is strictly open to the next generation of scientific leaders who are 35 years of age or younger. To be eligible, candidates must be working on research proposals specifically focused on human immunology and vaccine discovery.
While the core focus is immunology, the foundation actively encourages applicants from a vast array of related disciplines. This includes specialists in clinical research, biochemistry, computer science, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology
Deadline
The application window for the 2026 grants officially opens on March 30, 2026. Prospective laureates must submit their research proposals through the online portal no later than June 22, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT.
Following the deadline, short-listed candidates will be notified in September, with the final notice of awards issued in December 2026. The official grant cycle is scheduled to run from January 1 through December 31, 2027, fueling a new year of scientific discovery.
To apply, visit The Michelson Medical Research Foundation call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
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