Now accepting applications for the 2016 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science

NEW YORK, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Vilcek Foundation is seeking applications for the 2016 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science.  Three foreign-born biomedical scientists will be selected to receive the prizes, each comprising an unrestricted cash award of $50,000.

Established in 2009, the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise honor scientists who have distinguished themselves early in their careers, and help to raise awareness of the key role foreign-born researchers play in sustaining the leadership position of the United States in the sciences.

Researchers in all fields of biomedical science are encouraged to apply.  Applicants must:

• have been born abroad;
• be naturalized citizens or permanent residents of the United States; also eligible are persons who have held a valid H-1B or O-1 visa for at least 5 years, and individuals who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) relief;
• have a doctoral degree and intend to pursue a career in the United States;
• be no more than 38 years old as of December 31, 2015;
• hold a full-time independent position at an academic institution or other research organization.

A panel of distinguished members of the scientific community will select the prizewinners.  The jury will consider the candidates' innovation, independence, creativity, clarity of vision, and impact on the field of biomedical research.

A written application, professional résumé, list of publications, and letters of recommendation are required. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2015.  Eligibility requirements and a link to the online application can be found at Vilcek.org.

The winners will be notified by November 2015 and honored at the foundation's annual awards ceremony, in New York City, in the spring of 2016.

About the Vilcek Foundation:

The Vilcek Foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia.  The mission of the foundation, to honor the contributions of foreign-born scholars and artists living in the United States, was inspired by the couple's careers in biomedical science and art history, respectively, as well as their personal experiences and appreciation for the opportunities they received as newcomers to this country.  The Foundation hosts events to promote the work of immigrants, awards annual prizes to prominent immigrant biomedical scientists and artists, and sponsors cultural programs such as the Hawaii International Film Festival. To learn more about the Vilcek Foundation, please visit Vilcek.org.

SOURCE The Vilcek Foundation

Related Links

http://www.vilcek.org