Hamburg, February 4, 2026 – Eppendorf and the journal Science are now accepting applications for the 2026 Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology. This annual international research prize of $25,000 celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The 25th Prize ceremony will be held during the week of Society for Neuroscience on November 15, 2026, in Washington D.C. at the headquarters of AAAS & Science.
Young scientists are awarded for their outstanding contributions to neurobiological research based on experimental methods of molecular, cellular, systems, or organismic biology. Researchers who are not older than 35 years are invited to apply by June 15, 2026. The winner and finalists are selected by a committee of independent scientists, chaired by Science’s Senior Editor, Mattia Maroso. Nominations are not accepted; scientists must submit their own application.
The 2025 prize was won by the Chinese scientist Cheng Lyu, Stanford University, USA for his research on rewiring the olfactory neural circuit in fruit flies, which alters the animal’s courtship behavior. What started 25 years ago has meanwhile become a firmly established scientific award. Altogether, the prize has recognized over 70 scientists, who subsequently embarked on remarkable careers in their disciplines.
