HFSP-Nakasone Award 2016
Call for Nominations
Deadline: April 2nd 2015
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 2015 award was James Collins, a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator at the Center
of Synthetic Biology at Boston University, for his innovative work on synthetic gene networks and
programmable cells that launched the exciting field of synthetic biology (see
http://www.hfsp.org/awardees/hfsp-nakasone-award/2015-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 Thursday, April 2nd 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 2015.
The awardee will receive an unrestricted research grant of 10,000 USD, a commemorative medal and
will deliver the Nakasone Award plenary lecture at the 2016 HFSP Awardees Meeting.
Proposers should take into account the following points when choosing nominees:
 The award is given on the basis of excellence in basic research in 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 a few 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. A list of former winners is 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.
 While nominations for one scientist may be counter-signed and submitted by several parties,
there is no advantage to submitting several nominations for the same person. Multiple
nominations will be merged for the purpose of the review.
 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 2016
Nomination Form
Deadline: April 2nd 2015
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 career 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 frontiers 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 April 2nd 2015 deadline. After an initial screening,
you might be contacted for more information.