Advocacy Award Nominations

We are no longer accepting nominations for Research!America’s 2024 Advocacy Awards.

We will open nominations for the 2025 Advocacy Awards in mid-2024.

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).

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.

2023—Helene Gayle, MD, MPH
2022— France A. Córdova, PhD
2020—Myron M. Levine, MD, DTPH; Gary J. Nabel, MD, PhD; and Paul A. Offit, MD
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.

2023—Heywood Fralin and Michael J. Friedlander, PhD
2022—Jed Manocherian
2020—Mary Fogarty McAndrew
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.

2023—Pamela B. Davis, MD, PhD
2022—Neal F. Lane, PhD
2020—Michael M.E. Johns, MD
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.

2023—The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
2022—Alliance for Aging Research
2020—National Multiple Sclerosis Society
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.

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
2020—Renée Fleming
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.

2023—Margaret A. Hamburg, MD
2022—Matthew Myers, Bill Novelli, and Vivian W. Pinn, MD
2021—Anthony S. Fauci, 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.

2023—James E. Crowe Jr., MD
2022— Christopher Murray, MD, DPhil
2021—Katalin Karikó, PhD, and Drew Weissman, MD, PhD

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.

2023—Hip Hop Public Health
2022—Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH
2021—Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center and Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities

RAPID TRANSLATION AWARD

The Rapid Translation Award honors a public-private partnership that has made a critical contribution to public health progress.

2023—Noubar Afeyan, PhD
2022— Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV)
2021—National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Moderna

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.

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)
2021—Hon. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-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.

2023—Lawrence A. Tabak, DDS, PhD
2022—Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD
2020—Bruce M. Alberts, 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