ASCB Porter Prizes for Research Excellence

About the Award

Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed.

Nominate a Postdoc or Grad Student

Postdoc Self Nomination

Grad Student Self Nomination

The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) annually recognizes one graduate student and one postdoctoral researcher with the ASCB Porter Prizes for Research Excellence, honoring outstanding scientific achievement in the spirit of pioneering cell biologist Keith Porter. Recipients are selected based on their individual contributions to advancing science and the novelty and creativity of their findings, with an emphasis on discoveries that provide new ideas and avenues for exploration in cell biology.

Criteria for the review of applications focus on individual scientific excellence and the creativity and novelty of the research described. Candidates or nominators should distinguish, as clearly as possible, the contribution of the student or postdoc from the overall track record of the lab.

These awards are made possible by the generous support of the Porter Foundation.

Award Details

Winners will be presented with a plaque, receive complimentary registration to the Cell Bio meeting, and be invited to speak at the meeting. Recipients will also receive a prize of $3,000 for outstanding predoctoral research and $5,000 for outstanding postdoctoral research.

Who is Eligible

ASCB members who are graduate students and postdocs. If you apply as a graduate student you must be enrolled as a graduate student at the time of the deadline. If you apply as a postdoc you must be a postdoc at the time of application.

Selection Criteria

• Candidate’s individual scientific excellence and the creativity and novelty of the research described in the spirit of Keith Porter
• Candidate’s demonstrated contributions to ASCB’s vision and values

How to Apply

Candidates may either self-apply or be nominated.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

If nominating someone

1. Letter describing the candidate’s background, contributions, and qualifications for receiving the award, no longer than 2 pages.
2. Letter of support also describing the above, no longer than 2 pages.

If self-applying, or once nominated

1. Narrative statement describing your background, contributions, qualifications for receiving the award, and demonstrated commitment to ASCB’s values, no longer than 2 pages. This statement must relate how your research reflects the pioneering spirit of inquiry of Keith Porter.
2. Two letters of support endorsing your application, no longer than 2 pages.
3. CV no longer than 5 pages.
4. Abstract submitted for the 2026 ASCB|EMBO Cell Bio Meeting

Please Note

1. ASCB wants to ensure that the pool of award candidates is as diverse and inclusive as possible. The demographic questions are for internal reporting only and are not viewable by award reviewers. The questions are not mandatory, however we would appreciate your responses so that we can assess our level of inclusivity.
2. As a founder of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) ASCB does not use journal impact factors or other journal-based metrics in the evaluation process for its awards. ASCB looks at an individual’s research contributions and impact on the field, rather than the prestige of the journals where work is published.

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