Advocacy Awards
The AWards
Nominations are now closed for Research!America’s 2022 Advocacy Awards! The annual Advocacy Awards were established in 1996 by the Board of Directors to honor outstanding advocates for medical, health and scientific research. 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.
The 2021 Advocacy Awards honored the powerful research, innovation and advocacy deployed in the fight against COVID-19 with a new set of awards focused on public health. We are pleased to continue our public health awards in 2022, honoring individuals and organizations at the forefront of public health research and advocacy.

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.
2020—Mary Fogarty McAndrew
2019—Denny Sanford
2018—Shari and Garen Staglin
2017—Joseph Biden
Review past Gordon and Llura Gund Leadership Award awardees.
2020—Myron M. Levine, MD, DTPH; Gary J. Nabel, MD, PhD; and Paul A. Offit, MD
2019—Susan Hockfield, PhD
2018—Roger I. Glass, MD, PhD
2017—Leland H. Hartwell, PhD
Review past Geoffrey Beene Builders of Science Award awardees.
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.
2020—Renée Fleming
2019—Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, DPhil
2018—Atul Gawande, MD, MPH
2017—Kathy Bates
Review past Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion awardees.
HERBERT PARDES FAMILY AWARD FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN ADVOCACY FOR RESEARCH
The Herbert Pardes Family Award for National Leadership in Advocacy for Research, established by the Research!America Board of Directors in 2018, recognizes individuals who, throughout their careers have – like Dr. Pardes – demonstrated distinguished leadership and sustained commitment to public engagement and advocacy for research.
2020—Michael M.E. Johns, MD
2019—David R. Williams, PhD
PAUL G. ROGERS DISTINGUISHED ORGANIZATION ADVOCACY AWARD
The Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy 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.
2020—National Multiple Sclerosis Society
2019—Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
2018—EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases
2017—Lupus Foundation of America
Review past Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award awardees.
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.
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.