Open Call: Michelson Medical Research Foundation – 2026 Michelson Prize Next Generation Grants

Apr 1, 2026 | Awards & Funding, Faculty, Research

To: Science Faculty and Researchers
From: Office of Foundation Relations
Subject: Funding Opportunity

The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from the Michelson Medical Research Foundation.  

 

Overview: 

The Michelson Prizes are looking for applications related to human immunology and vaccine research and are intended to support individuals early in their careers who possess novel ideas and who have significant potential to execute these ideas to affect transformative change in their respective fields. Research incorporating multiplexed and non-traditional approaches from outside the fields of immunology and vaccinology and demonstrating a high degree of novelty and creative thinking is encouraged. The successful applicants will clearly articulate a vision that challenges current dogma and demonstrate an ability to look beyond convention to make a lasting impact on vaccine and immunotherapy research.

The Michelson Prizes seek to draw young investigators from a wide range of disciplines, including clinical research, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence/machine learning, biophysics, nanotechnology, microbiome, tropical medicine, environmental health, etc.

Please consult a list of FAQs and the full guidelines.

 

Award Amount & Terms

$150,000 one year, with no indirect cost allowed

 

Eligibility: 

  • Applicants must be born on or after January 1, 1990 (35 years of age and under)
  • Early-career investigators, postdoctoral fellows, doctoral students and other researchers currently in training positions are eligible
  • International applicants are encouraged

 

Please see a list of Michelson Prize Winners. 

 

Timeline:

  • June 22, 2026, 8:59 PST Applications due
  • September, 2026 Short-listed applicants notified
  • October TBD, 2026 Supplementary information due
  • December 2026 Notice of award
  • January 1 — December 31, 2027 Grant cycle

 

Special Requirements: 

Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (fr@ucsc.edu). Please submit a proposal intake form prior to UCSC’s internal Institutional Deadlines. For support developing your proposal, please send a request to the Office of Research Development, resdev@ucsc.edu. 

 

Call sent: April 1, 2026

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The Office Foundation Relations is a unit of University Advancement. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations and corporations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits. 

For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website: FR Calls for Funding.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact forde@ucsc.edu
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