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Regeneron Prize for Creative Innovation

General Information

Program Description

The Regeneron Prize for Creative Innovation recognizes and honors excellence in biomedical science conducted by postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. Each year, leading research universities across the United States nominate their top candidates, who are then invited to propose “dream projects” within the realm of biomedical science. These proposals are evaluated by a selection committee based on scientific merit, creativity, and originality. The prize aims to encourage and reward innovative thinking in biomedicine, with winners receiving a significant cash award and additional funding for their home institutions to support the seminar series.

Limitation

Schools may submit two (2) applications for Penn’s internal competition.

Eligibility

  • Current Status: Must be a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania
  • Research Focus: Must be conducting biomedical research.
  • Originality: Must certify that the project proposal is their original idea and does not appear in any publication or grant application where they are not the principal investigator.
  • Individual Proposals: Joint or team proposals are not eligible
  • For any sponsored research projects, the applicant must be eligible to serve as Principal Investigator for the project, unless otherwise noted in the LSO. Please see Penn’s PI Eligibility requirements to ensure you are eligible. 

Award Information

  • A total unrestricted research award of $50,000 over one (1) year. The award may be used in any way the winner chooses. 
  • Finalist award: $5,000 for each finalist.
  • Institutional support: $5,000 donation to the home institution of the winners to support the institution’s seminar series.
  • Research proposal: The proposed research is not necessarily meant to be conducted, and the prize is not intended as a funding mechanism for research.
  • Onsite competition: Finalists may be invited to visit Regeneron for the onsite competition, with travel expenses covered.

Limited Submission Opportunities Protocol 

What is a Limited Submission Opportunity? When a funding agency or foundation limits the number of applications Penn can submit, the OVPR manages a two-part internal review process to select the proposal that advances to the funder. 

What is the Review Process for Limited Submissions? The selection process begins at the school level, where candidates are vetted to choose a finalist for the OVPR round. Applicants must follow their home school’s deadlines and submission instructions. A committee of reviewers then recommends candidates to the Senior Vice Provost, who selects the final nominee. 

Where do I find out about limited submission opportunities on the OVPR website? The newly designed website lists LSOs. Use the filters on the left to refine your search. Opportunities are listed in summary form. Click on the title of an opportunity to see the full details. 

How do I apply? When the full detail page for the opportunity is open, click the “APPLY HERE” button at the bottom right of the screen. This starts your application process using InfoReady. Log in with your PennKey credentials. After you submit your application, InfoReady processes it for the first round of review at your school. If selected as the Penn nominee, you will be notified directly and will begin the submission process to the funder with the Office of Research Services and PennERA.