The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) recognizes scientists, educators, mentors, and other leaders whose achievements and contributions advance cell biology and the scientific community. Explore ASCB awards and honors for individuals at every career stage.
Awards for Trainees
Open to graduate students and postdocs beginning their careers
ASCB Porter Prizes for Research Excellence
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 postdocto…
Read more
Merton Bernfield Memorial Award
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) established the Merton Bernfield Memorial Award with member donations in memory of Merton Bernfield. The…
Read more
Early and Mid-Career Awards
For members who have been independent investigators for up to 15 years
Award for Excellence in Research by a Historically Excluded Person (HEP)
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents this award for excellence in research to an early- or mid-career ASCB member who self-identifie…
Read more
WICB Junior Award for Excellence in Research
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the WICB Junior Award for Excellence in Research to a woman or non-binary scientist in the earl…
Read more
Günter Blobel Early Career Award
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the Günter Blobel Early Career Award to an outstanding life scientist who has served as an inde…
Read more
Innovation in Research Award
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the ASCB Innovation in Research Award to recognize early- and mid-career scientists for new and…
Read more
Innovation in Education Award
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the Innovation in Education Award to an individual who has demonstrated innovation in education…
Read more
Senior Awards
For established investigators or tenured faculty
Sandra K. Masur Senior Leadership Award
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the Sandra K. Masur Senior Leadership Award to a scientist at a later career stage (generally f…
Read more
Public Service Award
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the Public Service Award to recognize outstanding national leadership and public service in sup…
Read more
E.B. Wilson Medal
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the E.B. Wilson Medal to distinguished researchers for their significant and far-reaching contr…
Read more
Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education to an individual who has demonstrat…
Read more
ASCB Fellows
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards will be accepted between May 15 and June 15. Election as a Fellow of ASCB is an honor bestowed upon ASCB members by their peers. Fellows are recognized for their meritorious efforts to advance cell biology a…
Read more
E.E. Just Lecture
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the E.E. Just Award to honor early 20th-century biologist Ernest Everett Just, who made seminal contri…
Read more
Keith R. Porter Lecture
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the Keith R. Porter Lecture at the annual Cell Bio meeting in memory of Keith R. Porter. The le…
Read more
Early to Senior Awards
For members at all career stages
Scholarship for Transformative Change Keynote
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the Scholarship for Transformative Change Keynote Lecture to a researcher whose work explores h…
Read more
David Burgess Award for Excellence in Inclusivity
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the David Burgess Award for Excellence in Inclusivity to recognize a scientist with a track record of…
Read more
Mentoring Keynote
Nominations/Applications for all 2026 awards are now closed. Self-Nominate Nominate a Colleague The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) presents the Mentoring Keynote Lecture to an individual who exemplifies excellence in mentoring through…
Read more
MBoC Paper of the Year
The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) recognizes outstanding research published in its peer-reviewed journal, Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBoC), through the MBoC Paper of the Year Award. MBoC Associate Editors select the winning paper or pape…
Read more