HFSP-Nakasone Award 2013
Call for Nominations
Deadline: May 4th 2012
In keeping with its mission to stimulate innovative international research, HFSP invites nominations
for an annual award highlighting ground-breaking contributions in the life sciences. Typically these
will be breakthroughs in our understanding of the complex mechanisms of living organisms that
have important consequences for scientists throughout the world. Experimental, conceptual and
technological contributions are eligible. This award recognizes the vision of former Prime Minister
Nakasone of Japan in the creation of HFSP.
The winner of the 2012 award was Gina Turrigiano of Brandeis University, USA, for her pioneering
work on homeostatic plasticity in the brain. (see http://www.hfsp.org/awardees/hfsp-nakasoneaward/2012-award).
The competition is open; it is not limited to HFSP awardees and there is no age limit for candidates.
However the jury will pay particular attention to recent breakthroughs by younger scientists.
Nominations should be made before Friday May 4th by submitting this nomination form (see below)
and the nominee’s CV. The selection will be made by the HFSP Council of Scientists at their meeting
in July 2012.
The awardee will receive an unrestricted research grant of 10.000 USD, a commemorative medal
and will be expected to deliver a plenary lecture at the 2013 HFSP Awardees Meeting, July 8-10 2013
in Strasbourg.
Proposers should take into account the following points when choosing nominees:
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The award is given on the basis of excellence in research in fields of the life sciences
normally supported by HFSP, as defined by its mission to support research into the “complex
mechanisms of living organisms”. Areas have traditionally ranged from molecular and
cellular approaches to biological functions to systems neuroscience including cognitive
functions. However, all levels of complexity involving mechanisms of biological phenomena
or the interactions between organisms will be considered.
The research field must be within HFSP's scope of funding in BASIC research.
The award is given for a clearly defined breakthrough identifiable by specific publications,
not for a life-time achievement.
Over time the scope of the awards is expected to represent the broad range of topics typical
of
HFSP
funding.
Former
winners
are
on
the
HFSP
website
at
http://www.hfsp.org/awardees/hfsp-nakasone-award.
Priority will be given to younger scientists in cases where more than one excellent candidate
is under consideration.
Co-authors on breakthrough papers may be jointly nominated, but separate nominations for
the same breakthrough will not be considered.
Self-nominations are not accepted.
Members of the HFSP Board of Trustees and Council of Scientists are not eligible for
nomination and may not nominate candidates in order to avoid the perception of conflict of
interest. The current members are listed on the HFSP web site: http://www.hfsp.org/aboutus/governance/board-trustees and http://www.hfsp.org/about-us/governance/councilscientists.
HFSP-Nakasone Award 2013
Nomination Form
Deadline: May 4th 2012
This award is for frontier contributions in the life sciences, notably conceptual breakthroughs that
have had consequences for scientists throughout the world. Experimental, conceptual and
technological contributions are eligible. This is an open award, not limited to current or former HFSP
awardees. Nominees may be at any stage of their careers but must have made a substantial
independent contribution to frontier biology. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Candidate(s) Name:
Institutional Address:
e-mail:
Website:
Please give a brief statement of 2-3 paragraphs below explaining the reason for nominating this
candidate (this is not a career award given to someone with a good cumulative publication record –
please emphasize their specific contribution to advancing the frontier of biology as reflected in
original research articles).
Up to five relevant publications (include only those in which the original idea/experiment was
presented and developed)
Proposer Name:
Institutional Address:
e-mail:
Website:
The form will expand as you enter information, but do not exceed 2 pages in all, and do not change
the character type and size. When completed please submit the form together with the
candidate’s CV by e-mail to hfspnakasone@hfsp.org by the May 4th deadline. After an initial
screening, you might be contacted for more information.