Advocacy Awards
Established in 1996, the Advocacy Awards are an annual, signature event for Research!America and the research community. Through the Awards and in partnership with our supporters, we are able to:
- Honor individuals and organizations whose leadership efforts have advanced our nation’s commitment to medical, health, and scientific research.
- Inspire the next generation of medical and health research advocates.
- Shine a spotlight on the value of scientific innovation and public health.
Nominations
Nominations are now open for Research!America’s 2025 Advocacy Awards! The awards recognize individuals and organizations whose commitment to advocacy for research and innovation has advanced medical and public health progress in profoundly important ways. Please see below for a full description of the 2024 awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 31, 2024.
Wondering about past winners and events?
Please check out the list of our past Advocacy Award honorees. Please see highlights of the 2024 Advocacy Awards.
Nominations should include:
- Examples of accomplishments that demonstrate why the nominee is deserving of this award
- A link to a brief biography of the nominee (please, no CVs)
- Contact information for the nominator including: Full name, title and organization affiliation (if any), mailing address, phone number, email, secondary contact/support person’s information
- To the extent possible, contact information for the nominee, including: title and organization affiliation (if any), mailing address, phone number, email, secondary contact/support person’s information (to facilitate logistics)
Research!America embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our work and seeks a diverse a pool of award nominations, including those from a wide range of disciplines, institutional types, and geographical locations.
All winners are expected to meet the commonly held standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity. Should you have questions about the nominations process, please contact us at nominations@researchamerica.org.
BUILDERS OF SCIENCE AWARD
The Builders of Science Award recognizes distinguished scientists who have provided inspiration and determination in building or re-building an outstanding home for research. Eligible candidates for the award are highly accomplished medical, health, and scientific research administrators, scientists, and other leaders who have demonstrated their commitment to research advocacy. Individuals who have substantially revitalized an existing institution are also eligible.
2024—Rita R. Colwell, PhD
2023—Helene Gayle, MD, MPH
2022— France A. Córdova, PhD
Review past Builders of Science Award awardees.
GORDON AND LLURA GUND LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Gordon and Llura Gund Leadership Award honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to increasing the level of advocacy for medical, public health or other health-related research in their communities or on the local, state, or national level.
2024—Robert W. Conn, PhD
2023—Heywood Fralin and Michael J. Friedlander, PhD
2022—Jed Manocherian
Review past Gordon and Llura Gund Leadership Award awardees.
HERBERT PARDES FAMILY AWARD FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN ADVOCACY FOR RESEARCH
The Herbert Pardes Family Award for National Leadership in Advocacy for Research recognizes individuals who, like Dr. Pardes, have demonstrated distinguished academic leadership and sustained commitment to public engagement and advocacy for research. Individuals selected for this honor will be those who are highly regarded for their ability to communicate the value of research and innovation to a broad array of audiences, and who, by their example and active encouragement, have inspired others to do so.
2024—Norman R. Augustine
2023—Pamela B. Davis, MD, PhD
2022—Neal F. Lane, PhD
Review past Herbert Pardes Family Award for National Leadership in Advocacy for Research awardees.
PAUL G. ROGERS DISTINGUISHED ORGANIZATION ADVOCACY AWARD
The Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award salutes the former Congressman and Research!America board chair, who knew the power of the patient and patient groups. This award honors a public or private organization or institution that is a strong advocate for medical, public health, or other health-related research at the national, state, or local level.
2024—Alzheimer’s Association
2023—The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
2022—Alliance for Aging Research
Review past Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award awardees.
ISADORE ROSENFELD AWARD FOR IMPACT ON PUBLIC OPINION
The Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion is presented annually to a news media representative or other influential individual who has been extraordinarily effective in delivering medical, public health, or other health-related research advocacy messages to the public.
2024—Abraham C. Verghese MD, MACP
2023—Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness, a film by Ken Burns, Erik Ewers, Christopher Loren Ewers, Julie Coffman, and David Blistein
2022—Walter Isaacson
Review past Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion awardees.
The Outstanding Achievement in Public Health Awards, generously supported by Johnson & Johnson.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH AWARD
The Outstanding Achievement in Public Health Award recognizes an individual for their extraordinary work and enormous contributions to public health.
2024—Rajiv J. Shah, MD
2023—Margaret A. Hamburg, MD
2022—Matthew Myers, Bill Novelli, and Vivian W. Pinn, MD
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION AWARD
The Building the Foundation Award recognizes one or more individuals whose basic research discoveries have played a pivotal role in advancing public health.
2024—Jason S. McLellan, PhD
2023—James E. Crowe Jr., MD
2022— Christopher Murray, MD, DPhil
MEETING THE MOMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AWARD
The Meeting the Moment for Public Health Award recognizes an individual or organization that has been a “clear voice,” playing a key role in communicating important public health information to the public and rising to the challenge of the day.
2024—Celine Gounder, MD, ScM
2023—Hip Hop Public Health
2022—Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH
RAPID TRANSLATION AWARD
The Rapid Translation Award honors a public-private partnership that has made a critical contribution to public health progress.
2024—Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance
2023—Noubar Afeyan, PhD
2022— Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV)
Board Selected Awards
EDWIN C. WHITEHEAD AWARD FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ADVOCACY
The Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy recognizes exemplary leaders, particularly those in public office, who have shown a long-standing commitment to advancing health research as a national priority and who galvanize others in support of science policy and funding. This award is selected by the Board of Directors.
2024—Hon. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Hon. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA)
2023—Hon. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Hon. Todd Young (R-IN)
2022—Hon. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Hon. Kay Granger (R-TX)
JOHN EDWARD PORTER LEGACY AWARD, generously supported by Ann Lurie
The John Edward Porter Legacy Award, generously supported by Ann Lurie, is awarded to individuals who show outstanding commitment to sustaining the nation’s world-class leadership in medical and health research. This award is selected by the Board of Directors.
2024—The Hon. Michael N. Castle
2023—Lawrence A. Tabak, DDS, PhD
2022—Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD
About the Nominations Process
The Selection Committee consists of members of the Research!America Board of Directors. While we encourage nominations to a specific award category, the Selection Committee reserves the right to determine the best category. At the discretion of the Selection Committee, some award categories may not be fulfilled in a given year. Members of the Research!America Board of Directors are not eligible for nomination in any category. Emeritus Directors are eligible for nomination.
For additional information, contact Research!America at nominations@researchamerica.org