The Vilcek Foundation will award three Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise of $50,000 each to young, immigrant biomedical scientists who demonstrate outstanding early achievement in their fields. Applications are open through May 4, 2026.
Apply if You:
- Were born outside the United States to non-American parents;
- Are not more than 38 years old;
- Are a biomedical scientist who has conducted creative, independent research in basic, applied, or translational biomedical science.
Why Should You Apply:
Individuals chosen for this prize will receive:
- An unrestricted cash award of $50,000;
- An opportunity to reflect on how the applicant’s experience as an immigrant has shaped their success;
- An invaluable endorsement from leaders in biomedical science;
- A comprehensive public relations campaign to promote each applicant.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet the following criteria to be considered for a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise:
- Have been born outside the United States to non-American parents;
- Not be more than 38 years old as of December 31, 2026 (born on or after January 1, 1988). Exceptions will be made if you were born between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 1987, and if you experienced career interruptions due to caregiving, medical, military, or parental leave;
- Have lived in the United States for a minimum of four years in total or immigrated to the United States at least four years prior to the date of this application;
- Be one of the following: a naturalized citizen or a permanent resident of the United States; an H-1B or O-1 visa holder with a valid visa stamp; an H-4 visa holder with a valid EAD card; a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) relief; an asylee or an asylum seeker who has applied for asylum and has a valid EAD card. You may be required to submit a scanned copy of a valid immigration document if your application progresses in the review process. The staff at the Vilcek Foundation will reach out with instructions at the appropriate time;
- Have earned a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent);
- Hold a full-time, tenure-track position at an academic institution or other organization. Eligible positions include the following: assistant or associate professor or equivalent independent position on the tenure track. If you are required to work under the supervision of a mentor (such as postdoctoral fellows or associate research faculty), you are not eligible;
- Be directly responsible for the design and execution of the work submitted for consideration and have at least one publication as a corresponding author;
- Intend to pursue a professional career in the United States;
- Not be a past winner of the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise.
Application and Selection Process
- Complete the application process. You will be required to:
- Register for the Vilcek Foundation Prizes Portal. You will receive an email from creativepromise@vilcek.org prompting you to create your account. Please check your spam and junk folders if you do not receive it.
- Complete all the required questions and sections:
- Provide your academic and professional details, including links to your Google Scholar profile and your current CV.
- Answer three essay questions:
- Describe your role in the conceptualization, research, and writing of the submitted articles. Include the scientific insights you developed, the evolution of your research approaches and strategies, and any technological innovations you contributed. Explain the significance of your work in the broader context of biomedical science. (Maximum 3,500 characters, including spaces and punctuation.)
- Reflect on your background and experiences in developing your scientific knowledge, talents, and skills. Highlight how your creativity and productivity are demonstrated through your personal and professional activities. You may also mention individuals who have significantly influenced your development or work. Conclude with your future goals and what you aim to accomplish in your career. (Maximum 3,500 characters, including spaces and punctuation.)
- Describe the circumstances of your immigration to the United States. (Maximum 1,500 characters, including spaces and punctuation.)
- Provide information on authored publications. The jury puts the greatest value on publications on which you are the corresponding author.
- Request two letters of recommendation by providing the names and contact information of recommenders.
- Sign an age exception self-attestation if you were born between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 1987.
- Submit a completed application by Monday, May 4, 2026, 5:00 pm ET.
Once you have set up your account and logged into the Vilcek Foundation Prizes Portal, please choose the category for which you wish to apply. Take time to carefully review all the requirements and follow all instructions regarding content length, character limits, and formats. Please answer all required questions and sections thoroughly. Incomplete applications may not be considered, so we encourage you to provide detailed and accurate responses.
- A panel of distinguished jurors (scientists and science/medical writers or editors) will evaluate each application based primarily on the individual’s research contributions to progress in biomedical sciences, as demonstrated in the quality and significance of their research and publication record. The individuals chosen will have demonstrated exceptional independence and creativity by their 38th birthday. Additionally, applicants will be evaluated on their ability to effectively communicate the significance of their research to a scientifically literate audience.
- Recommendations of the jury will be submitted to the Vilcek Foundation’s Board of Directors for final approval. All three prizewinners will be considered equal in standing.
- The winners of the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science will be notified in September 2026. Prizewinners will be invited to attend the Vilcek Foundation’s Awards Ceremony in New York City in the spring of 2027. Travel expenses and accommodations will be covered by the foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Biomedical Science Application:
I meet all the requirements except for one; am I eligible?
In order to be considered for the prize, applicants must meet all of the eligibility requirements.
Do you have any tips for writing my responses to the application essay questions?
Applicants should use the essays to provide context for the work and materials submitted for the jury’s review. We are also interested in learning about each applicant’s immigration story to better understand the unique circumstances and experiences that shape their work, individual perspectives, and vision.
Which biomedical science categories are eligible?
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Bioinformatics
- Biophysics
- Cancer research
- Cell biology
- Chemical biology
- Computational biology
- Developmental biology
- Epidemiology
- Genetics/molecular genetics
- Human disease
- Immunology
- Infectious diseases
- Metabolism/endocrinology
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Stem cell research
- Virology
Can I submit multiple applications in more than one category?
No, only one application per individual will be accepted. Applicants will be required to select a primary category to identify their work.
How long should my CV be?
There is no limit to the length of an applicant’s CV, but we advise that all CVs be condensed to the most relevant points.
What should I do if the name I use professionally is different from the name on my ID?
If an applicant’s professional name differs from what is listed on the applicant’s ID, please contact us at creativepromise@vilcek.org to discuss this before submitting an application.
Can more than one person from the same institution apply?
Yes, we will consider each application in its own right.
Do applicants need to be nominated by their employer?
No, applicants are encouraged to create and fill out an application on their own. They do not need to be sponsored or nominated by their employer.
What publications should I submit with my application?
Please submit publications that best reflect scientific creativity. Submit at least one publication in which the applicant is listed as a corresponding author.
In the citation section, are you requesting the number of times my publications have been cited by other publications?
No, we are not looking for the number of times an article has been cited; instead, please submit a complete reference that allows others to find the article in full, including the author’s name, journal name, volume number, publication date, and other relevant details.
I would like to submit an article that has been accepted but not yet published; is this acceptable?
Yes, please submit the article in full if possible. Please contact us at creativepromise@vilcek.org if unpublished articles are submitted.
I do not have any corresponding author papers yet, but I have multiple independent grants; am I eligible?
Applicants must have at least one corresponding author publication to be eligible for the prize.
Can I submit a publication if I am a contributing author, instead of a corresponding author?
Applicants do not have to be the corresponding author on all publications, but one submitted publication must include the applicant as a corresponding author.
I applied for a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise last year and am still eligible. Can I receive feedback on my past application to prepare a more competitive one this year?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback on applications due to the high volume of applications received.
Can I submit materials in foreign languages?
Yes, but please provide English translations for non-English materials.
Can I change or update an already submitted application?
Applicants may email creativepromise@vilcek.org to notify us of any critical changes or updates, but we cannot guarantee any changes to an already submitted application.
If I am not selected as a prizewinner this year, can I apply again in the future?
Yes, as long as an applicant is within the age limit of a certain prize cycle and is not selected as a previous prizewinner, they are eligible to reapply.
Can I submit my application even though my recommenders have not submitted their letters?
Yes, we encourage applicants to submit an application as soon as possible. Do not wait for recommenders to submit their letters. Applicants can log in to their accounts to check the status of recommendation letters after submitting an application.
I applied for a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise last year. May I use the same recommendation letter I submitted with my previous application?
Although not recommended, applicant recommenders may submit the same letters, but applicants must re-enter their recommenders’ contact information and have them re-submit the letter.
Is there a length limit for the letters of recommendation?
No, there is no limit on length.
May I apply for a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise and submit an application for a Vilcek Foundation Grant in the same year?
Yes, individuals who are eligible for the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise may also submit a grant application on behalf of an organization, provided they are the primary point of contact for an eligible organization seeking funding. The Vilcek Foundation only accepts applications for grants from organizations that are nonprofits under IRC 501(c)(3) in the United States.
The Vilcek Foundation Prizes and Grants are separate and have different eligibility requirements and application processes. In order to apply for both a prize and a grant, the applicant must register accounts with both our prizes and grant portals, and will be required to use separate, unique email addresses for each portal. For more information about the Vilcek Foundation Grants, please visit vilcek.org/grants.
Immigration Requirement:
I live in the United States on a temporary visa. Which visa types are eligible to apply?
Applicants are eligible to apply if they currently hold a valid O-1, H-1B, or H-4 visa and have been residing in the United States for at least four years. Any other visa status is not eligible.
I am currently applying for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status; am I eligible?
Applicants are eligible if they have an I-797 approval notice showing approval of the I-821D DACA application. If an applicant is in the process of applying or reapplying for DACA and expects to have the proper documentation by June 2026, please contact us at creativepromise@vilcek.org before submitting an application.
I am currently in the process of applying for a green card; am I eligible?
If an applicant is in the process of finalizing the application for a green card and expects to have the proper documentation by June 2026, please contact us at creativepromise@vilcek.org before submitting an application.
My green card or visa has expired; am I eligible?
Applicants need a valid visa in order to be eligible. If the applicant’s green card has expired, please contact us at creativepromise@vilcek.org to provide more details on when and how it expired.
My temporary green card has expired, but I have submitted paperwork to become a permanent resident. I do not know if and when they will receive my information; am I eligible?
Yes, applicants in the process of becoming permanent residents are eligible. Please contact us at creativepromise@vilcek.org for further instructions.
My visa was approved, but I don’t have a visa stamp yet; am I eligible?
Applicants may submit the approval notice in place of the visa stamp, but please only submit an approval notice when contacted by the staff at the Vilcek Foundation.
Do I need to submit my visa or citizenship documents with my application?
No, applicants only need to select the applicable citizenship/immigration document type when submitting an application. Applicants may be required to submit a scanned copy of a valid immigration document if their application progresses in the review process. The staff at the Vilcek Foundation will reach out with instructions at the appropriate time.
Can I send my visa or citizenship documents by email?
Please do not email citizenship/immigration documents to the Vilcek Foundation. Applicants may be required to submit a scanned copy of a valid immigration document if their application progresses in the review process. The staff at the Vilcek Foundation will reach out with instructions at the appropriate time.
I’m currently in between visas and live outside the United States; am I eligible?
Unfortunately, applicants between visas who live outside of the United States are not eligible to apply for the prizes.
I became a United States citizen when I was a minor and do not have a certificate of naturalization; am I eligible?
If contacted by the staff at the Vilcek Foundation to provide documentation, please submit a birth certificate and passport instead of a certificate of naturalization.
I can’t locate my certificate of naturalization; am I eligible?
If contacted by the staff at the Vilcek Foundation to provide documentation, please submit a birth certificate and passport instead of a certificate of naturalization.
I have become a United States citizen. May I provide a copy of my passport as proof of my immigration status?
No, a passport may be submitted as a supplementary document only.
I was born in Puerto Rico, Guam, or another United States territory; am I eligible?
Unfortunately, we do not accept applications from individuals born in the United States territories.
I was born outside the United States, but to American citizens; am I eligible?
No, we do not accept applications from United States citizens who were born overseas but are American by birth.
Age Requirement:
I am over the age limit, but not by much; can you make an exception?
Unfortunately, we are unable to make exceptions unless the applicant has experienced a career interruption due to caregiving, medical, military, or parental leave, and is within two years of the age requirement (born between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 1987).
What kind of documentation should I provide to prove my career interruption?
Below are examples of accepted documentation:
- Confirmation letter from an employer, a medical provider, or a military office;
- Official request for leave or approval notice;
- Certificate of birth or military service.
Do you accept other reasons for career interruptions?
No, we only make exceptions for caregiving, medical, military, or parental leave.
Cash Award and Taxes:
Can the prizewinners use the cash award to support a specific project, cover personal expenses, or for other purposes?
Each prizewinner will receive an unrestricted cash award, with no obligation to use the money in any particular way.
Are there any other monetary fees that I should be aware of before applying?
The prizewinners receive unrestricted cash awards, which are considered taxable income. Consult a financial advisor to understand any tax implications of receiving a cash award from the Vilcek Foundation.
Are the Vilcek Foundation Prizes considered grants?
No, the prizes are cash awards, not grants. They will be considered taxable income.
If I win, will I have to pay taxes on the prize?
Yes, applicants will have to pay taxes on the income received from any Vilcek Foundation Prizes.
Can the cash awards be paid to institutions?
No, the cash awards can only be paid to individuals.
Can I decline to receive the prize payment and make a charitable donation instead?
In some cases, yes. We have a policy on prize transfers that outlines scenarios for transfers of cash awards. Following receipt of a prize, contact us to learn more about our policy.
Your recommenders may submit the same letters (not recommended), but you still have to re-enter your recommenders’ contact information and have them re-submit the letter.
Is there a length limit for the letters of recommendation?
No, there is no limit on length.
May I apply for a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise and submit a proposal for an organizational grant from The Vilcek Foundation?
Yes, individuals who are eligible for Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise may also submit a proposal for a grant on behalf of an organization, provided they are the primary point-of-contact for an organization seeking funding. The Vilcek Foundation only accepts applications for grants from organizations that are nonprofits under IRC 501(c)(3) in the United States.
The Vilcek Foundation Prizes and Grant programs are separate and have different eligibility requirements. If you apply for both a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise and a Grant, you will need to register accounts with both our prize and grant portals, and you will be required to use two separate, unique email addresses for each portal. If you have further questions about the prize program please reach out to creativepromise@vilcek.org. For information about grants, visit vilcek.org/grants.