Awards
Below is a comprehensive, regularly updated master list of available awards to support our research faculty's work, studies, or initiatives. To learn more about the award, visit the Award Description page. For foundation grant opportunities, visit the Foundation Grants page.
Use the sortable table below to browse and compare funding opportunities by award type, eligibility, application deadline, amount, and more.
| &Award | #Submission Due Month | *Type | %Suggest Nominee(s) | @Prize Amount | Past UTSW Winners | Special Note/Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAMC Award for Distinguished Research in the Biomedical Sciences | 01-January | Open | Suggest a nominee | $10,000 | None | N/A |
| Gagna & Van Heck International Prize for Incurable Diseases | 01-January | Open | ~$83,000 | None | Every 3 years | |
| Robert A. Welch Award in Chemistry | 01-January | Open | $500,000 | Steven McKnight, Ph.D. (2020) | N/A | |
| Howard Taylor Ricketts Prize | 01-January | Open | $50,000 | Helen Hobbs, M.D. (2022) | N/A | |
| Vanderbilt Prize In Biomedical Science | 02-February | Open | Suggest a nominee | $25,000 | None | Female, an active mentor |
| Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award | 02-February | Open | $250,000 | Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D. (2024), Alfred Gilman, M.D., Ph.D. (1989), Michael Brown, M.D. (1985), Joseph Goldstein, M.D. (1985) | N/A | |
| Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award | 02-February | Open | $250,000 | None | N/A | |
| Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize | 02-February | Open | Suggest a nominee | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | Michael Brown, M.D. (1984), Joseph Goldstein, M.D. (1984), Alfred Gilman, M.D. Ph.D. (1989), Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D. (2023) | N/A |
| Albany Medical College Prize in Medicine | 03-March | Open | Suggest a nominee | $500,000 | Bruce Beutler, M.D. (2009), Michael Brown, M.D. (2003), Joseph Goldstein, M.D. (2003) | N/A |
| Marion Spencer Fay Award | 03-March | Open | $10,000 | None | Female, contribution to health care as a practitioner, medical educator, administrator and/or research scientist and who exhibits significant future potential. | |
| King Faisal Prize in Medicine | 03-March | Open | Suggest a nominee | $200,000 | None | N/A |
| King Faisal Prize in Science | 03-March | Open | Suggest a nominee | $200,000 | None | N/A |
| Trailblazer Prize for Clinician - Scientists | 03-March | Open | $100,000 | None | Early-career, <10 years of independence, clinician-scientists (>50% research), MD or MD/PhD | |
| Jacob and Louise Gabbay Award in Biotechnology and Medicine | 03-March | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Scientists in academia, medicine or industry whose work had outstanding scientific content and significant practical consequences in the biomedical sciences. | |
| Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences | 04-April | Open | Suggest a nominee | $3,000,000 | Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D. (2019), Helen Hobbs, M.D. (2016) | N/A |
| Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research | 04-April | Open | Suggest a nominee | $150,000 | Xiaodong Wang, Ph. D., 2001, Ralph DeBerardinis, M.D., Ph.D. (2021), Joshua Mendell, M.D., Ph.D. (2019), Duojia (DJ) Pan, Ph.D. (2013) | Early-career, <50 years of age, every 2 years |
| The Switzer Prize | 04-April | Open | Suggest a nominee | $250,000 | Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D. (2019), Eric Olson, Ph.D. (2009) | N/A |
| TAMEST Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards, Biological Science | 05-May | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | Vincent Tagliabracci, Ph.D. (2024), James J. Collins III, Ph.D. (2023), Benjamin Tu, Ph.D. (2021), Julie Pfeiffer, Ph.D. (2019), Yuh Min Chook, Ph.D. (2025), Youxing Jiang, Ph.D. (2013), Kim Orth, Ph.D. (2011), Rama Ranganathan, Ph.D. (2009), Zhijian “James” Chen, Ph.D. (2007), Michael Rosen, Ph.D. (2006) | Early-career, <15 years of independence, Texas, with nomominator eligibility restrictions | |
| TAMEST Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards, Medicine | 05-May | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | Ralph DeBerardinis, M.D., Ph.D. (2019), Joshua T. Mendell, M.D., Ph.D. (2016), Richard K. Bruick, Ph.D. (2014), Lora V. Hooper, Ph.D. (2013), Philipp E. Scherer, Ph.D. (2012), Beth C. Levine, M.D. (2008), David J. Mangelsdorf, Ph.D. (2007) | Early-career, <15 years of independence, Texas, with nomominator eligibility restrictions | |
| TAMEST Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards, Engineering | 05-May | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Early-career, <15 years of independence, Texas, with nomominator eligibility restrictions | |
| TAMEST Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards, Physical Sciences | 05-May | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Early-career, <15 years of independence, Texas, with nomominator eligibility restrictions | |
| TAMEST Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards, Technology Innovation | 05-May | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Early-career, <15 years of independence, Texas private sector or government, with nomominator eligibility restrictions | |
| Lombardy Is Research | 07-July | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Every 2 years | |
| Qiu Shi Science & Technologies Foundation - Outstanding Scientist Award | 07-July | Open | ~$128,000 | Zhijian “James” Chen, Ph.D. (2024) | Chinese ethnicity, nominator by invitation only | |
| Lewis S. Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Basic Medical Research | 08-August | Open | Suggest a nominee | $30,000 | None | N/A |
| Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences | 08-August | Open | Suggest a nominee | $50,000 | Michael Rosen, Ph.D. (2021), Steven McKnight Ph.D. (2014) | N/A |
| TAMEST Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship | 09-September | Open | $5,000 | Gerta Hoxhaj, Ph.D. (2025) | Early-career | |
| Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine | 09-September | Open | Suggest a nominee | $20,000 | Helen Hobbs, M.D. (2018) | MD or MD PhD |
| Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research (The Welch Foundation) | 09-September | Open | $100,000 | Ryan Hibbs, Ph.D. (2022), Vincent S. Tagliabracci, Ph.D. (2020), Uttam K. Tambar, Ph.D. (2019), Neal Alto, Ph.D. (2017), Benjamin Tu, Ph.D. (2014), Kim Orth, Ph.D. (2010), and Zhijian “James” Chen, Ph.D. (2005), Xiaodong Wang, Ph. D., 2003 | Early-career, <10 years of independence, last 3 years in Texas, chemistry research | |
| Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science | 09-September | Open | $1,630,000 | None | Nominations are accepted from May to September of odd-numbered years, with the winner announced in June of the following even-numbered year. Nominator by invitation only. | |
| Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences | 09-September | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | Zhijian "James" Chen, PhD (2018) | Early-career, years of age | |
| Wolf Prize in Medicine | 10-October | Open | $100,000 | None | Nominator by invitation only | |
| Wolf Prize in Chemistry | 10-October | Open | $100,000 | None | Nominator by invitation only | |
| Wolf Prize in Biophysics | 10-October | Open | $100,000 | None | Nominator by invitation only | |
| NAS Award in Molecular Biology | 10-October | Open | $25,000 | Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D. (2012), Steven McKnight, Ph.D. (1991), Thomas Südhof, M.D. (1997), Xiaodong Wang, Ph.D. (2004) | Early-career, <50 years of age, citizen of the United States, Nominators may not nominate individuals from their home institution | |
| NAS Award in Chemical Sciences | 10-October | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Early-career, <50 years of age, citizen of the United States, Nominators may not nominate individuals from their home institution | |
| NAS Kovalenko Medal | 10-October | Open | $75,000 | None | Every 2 years, Nominators may not nominate individuals from their home institution | |
| NAS Neuroscience Award | 10-October | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Every 3 years, Nominators may not nominate individuals from their home institution | |
| NAS Pradel Research Award | 10-October | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Nominators may not nominate individuals from their home institution | |
| NAS Troland Research Award | 10-October | Open | $75,000 | None | Early-career, <45 years of age, experimental psychology, Nominators may not nominate individuals from their home institution | |
| Michelson Philanthropies & Science Prize for Immunology | 10-October | Open | $30,000 | None | Early-career, <35 years of age, Immunology | |
| Dickson Prize in Medicine | 10-October | Open | Suggest a nominee | $50,000 | None | N/A |
| Nemmers Prize in Medical Science | 11-November | Open | Suggest a nominee | $350,000 | None | Must be an MD, nominations are solicited in odd years with awards conferred in the even year thereafter |
| Warren Alpert Foundation Prize | 11-November | Open | Suggest a nominee | $500,000 | Michael Brown, M.D. (1999), Joseph Goldstein, M.D. (1999) | N/A |
| Passano Award | 11-November | Open | Suggest a nominee | $50,000 | Duojia (DJ) Pan, Ph.D. (2022), Helen Hobbs, M.D. & Jonathan Cohen, Ph.D. (2016), Eric Olson, Ph.D. (2012), Thomas Südhof, M.D. (2008), Michael Brown, M.D. & Joseph Goldstein, M.D. (1978) | N/A |
| Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine | 11-November | Open | Suggest a nominee | $50,000 | Helen Hobbs, M.D. & Jonathan Cohen, Ph.D. (2023) | N/A |
| Shaw Prize | 11-November | Open | Suggest a nominee | $1,200,000 | Xiaodong Wang, Ph.D. (2006), Bruce Beutler, M.D. (2011) | Nomination is invitation only |
| Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists - Life Science | 11-November | Limited | Suggest a nominee | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | Benjamin Tu, Ph.D. (finalist) | Early-career, <42 years of age, |
| Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists - Physical Sciences & Engineering | 11-November | Limited | Suggest a nominee | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Early-career, <42 years of age, |
| Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists - Chemical Sciences | 11-November | Limited | Suggest a nominee | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Early-career, <42 years of age, |
| Tel Aviv University International Prize in Biophysics (Previously The Raymond & Beverly Sackler Prize in Chemistry/Physics) | 12-December | Open | $50,000 | None | Early-career, <42 years of age. Prizes are awarded each year alternating between Physics and Chemistry. | |
| Steven C. Beering Award | 11-November | Open | $25,000 | Eric Olson, Ph.D. (2012) | N/A | |
| FASEB Excellence in Science Award, Lifetime Achievement (established investigators) | 12-December | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Female, Must be a current member of a FASEB Full Member Society and be nominated by that same society. | |
| FASEB Excellence in Science Award, Mid-Career Investigator (within 7 to 15 years of first independent scientist position) | 12-December | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Mid-career, 7-15 years of independence, female, Must be a current member of a FASEB Full Member Society and be nominated by that same society. | |
| FASEB Excellence in Science Award, Early-Career Investigator (within 7 years of first independent scientist position) | 12-December | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Early-career, <7 years of independence, female, Must be a current member of a FASEB Full Member Society and be nominated by that same society. | |
| Developmental Biology - The Edwin G. Conklin Medal | 12-December | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | Eric Olson, Ph.D. (2019) | Candidates are not required to be SDB members, but they must be nominated by one SDB member in good standing. | |
| Developmental Biology - Lifetime Achievement Award | 12-December | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Candidates are not required to be SDB members, but they must be nominated by one SDB member in good standing. | |
| Developmental Biology - Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize | 12-December | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Contributions to teaching and learning. Candidates are not required to be SDB members, but they must be nominated by one SDB member in good standing. | |
| Developmental Biology - Elizabeth D. Hay New Investigator Award | 12-December | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Early-career, pre-tenure, work performed within 12 years of receiving a Ph.D. Candidates are not required to be SDB members, but they must be nominated by one SDB member in good standing. | |
| Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology | 12-December | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | The prize annually recognizes one specific technology with demonstrated clinical impact. | |
| Gruber Genetics Prize | 12-December | Open | Suggest a nominee | $500,000 | None | Genetics research |
| Gruber Neuroscience Prize | 12-December | Open | $500,000 | Joseph Takahashi, Ph.D. (2019) | Both nominator and nominee must be neuroscientists | |
| Heineken Prize in Biochemistry and Biophysics | 10-October | Open | $250,000 | None | Every 2 years in even years. Fields of Biochemistry and Biophysics. | |
| Heineken Prize in Medicine | 10-October | Open | $250,000 | None | Every 2 years in even years. Fields of Medicine. | |
| Edward Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience | 12-December | Open | $150,000 | None | Both nominator and nominee must be neuroscientists | |
| Paul Ehrlich & Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize | N/A | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | Zhijian "James" Chen, Ph.D. (2024) | Immunology, cancer research, haematology, microbiology and chemotherapy | |
| Canada Gairdner International Award | 10-October | Open | $250,000 | None | N/A | |
| Japan Prize in Life Science and Medicine | 01-January | Open | ~$683,000 | None | Nomination is by invitation only. The award is presented annually for outstanding achievements in two fields, chosen based on recent advancements in science and technology, and announced in November. | |
| Kavli Prize in Neuroscience | 10-October | Open | Visit the Foundation page to learn more | None | Every two years, nominations are invited from July to October in odd-numbered years. The award is presented in three fields: astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience. | |
| Kyoto Prize | N/A | Open | ~$683,000 | None | Nomination is by invitation only. | |
| Sjoberg Prize | 05-May | Open | $1,000,000 | None | Nominees must be 60 years of age or younger | |
| Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize from the Gladstone | 06-June | Open | $150,000 | None | Stem cell biology or regenerative medicine, The entire body of a nominee’s work will be considered | |
| Edwin B. Astwood Award | 01-January | Open | $150,000 | David Mangelsdorf, Ph.D., and Steven Kliewer, Ph.D. (2025) | Nominated only by members of Endocrine Society | |
| Balzan Prize | 03-March | Open | $897,000 to visit the Foundation Page to learn more | None | The four subject areas, two in literature, the moral sciences, and the arts, and two in the physical, mathematical, and natural sciences, and medicine, change every year. Nominations by invitation only. | |
| AAAS Martin and Rose Wachtel Cancer Research Award | 02-February | Open | $25,000 | None | Early-career investigators, received PhD or MD in the last 10 years, cancer research. | |
| Pearl Meister Greenbard Award | Check the Award site for update | Open | $100,000 | Helen Hobbs, M. D. (2015) | Female in biomedical research |
Table Notes:
- & Access each award link for a brief description and to visit the foundation’s official website.
- # Submission deadlines vary annually. Listed dates are approximate; verify exact deadlines on the award’s official website.
- * The 'Type' designation specifies nomination restrictions: 'Limited' indicates a restricted submission opportunity from UT Southwestern, coordinated through the Provost’s Office. 'Open' denotes an unrestricted opportunity, allowing any qualified individual to nominate a candidate without a limit on nominees from UT Southwestern per cycle.
- % View Suggest a Nominee and complete the brief form to submit your suggestion(s) to the Provost’s Office. The Provost’s Office regularly coordinates submissions for these awards, so early input is very helpful. Whenever possible, please submit suggestions at least three months prior to the official deadline.
- @ Prize amounts in non-U.S. currencies are displayed in U.S. dollars using the May 2025 exchange rate.