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The Dream Biology Award invites young researchers from around the world to present their most ambitious visions in the life sciences.
The competition recognizes the intellectual value of bold ideas and provides a platform for their articulation and scientific evaluation.
Rather than prioritizing immediate feasibility or short-term outputs, the award emphasizes the depth, originality, and long-term impact of a proposed scientific vision.
Applicants are encouraged to present ambitious research directions that address fundamental biological questions, even if their realization may require future technological or conceptual breakthroughs. It is expected that proposed ideas go beyond the ambitions of a typical ERC or NIH grant.
As a sister initiative to the widely respected Dream Chemistry Award, established in 2013, the Dream Biology Award extends the same philosophy into biology – celebrating visionary ideas that may still be emerging, unconventional, or technically challenging, yet deeply grounded in scientific excellence.
The evaluation framework is centered on three core pillars:
1. Originality of the scientific vision.
2. Conceptual depth and intellectual rigor.
3. Transformative potential for biological sciences and society.
Step 1: Proposal submission
Applicants submit a written proposal outlining their long-term scientific vision, its conceptual foundations, and its potential impact on the biological sciences. The proposal submission deadline is July 31, 2026. Please, see the ‘Participate’ section for more details.
Step 2: First evaluation
All submissions undergo an initial quality and eligibility evaluation to ensure alignment with the award’s scope, scientific standards, and formal requirements.
Step 3: Scientific Committee evaluation
Eligible proposals are evaluated by an international Scientific Committee composed of distinguished experts across diverse biological disciplines. The assessment focuses on the originality, vision, and transformative potential of each proposal.
Step 4: Selection of top 5 finalists
Based on the evaluation by the Scientific Committee, five finalists will be selected by the end of October 2026 and invited to present their research vision in person.
Step 5: Final presentations at IOCB Prague
Five selected finalists deliver a formal presentation of their scientific vision and engage in a discussion with the Scientific Committee on December 3-4, 2026, in Prague.
During the two-day event, finalists will:
The travel and accommodation expenses for the finalists will be covered by the organizer.
The DBA Laureate will be awarded a unique Dream Biology Award trophy, a commemorative diploma, and a cash prize of €10,000.
The finalists receive a Dream Biology Top 5 Prize: a commemorative diploma, and a cash prize of €1,000 each.
Step 6: Final Decision and Award Ceremony ‘Final’
Following the final presentations and deliberation, the Scientific Committee will select the first Dream Biology Award Laureate on December 4, 2026.
For details, please see the DBA Terms and Conditions.
Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)
The Dream Biology Award is organized by IOCB Prague, a globally recognized interdisciplinary research institute at the forefront of chemistry and biology. With a long tradition of groundbreaking discoveries - including antiviral drugs developed by prof. Antonín Holý that transformed the treatment of AIDS and hepatitis B - IOCB Prague is a hub for visionary scientific research.
Hosted in Prague, the heart of Europe, the award combines a historic and inspiring city with a world-class research institute, providing the perfect environment to celebrate bold ideas and foster the next generation of breakthroughs in life sciences.
