The competition is open to researchers worldwide who hold a Ph.D. degree awarded within the last seven years. Applicants must not be employed by IOCB, the organizing institution. For more information, please see the ‘Participate’ section.
No. The Dream Biology Award is an open competition, and eligible researchers may apply directly without any nomination. For more information, please see the ‘Participate’ section.
Applicants are invited to submit a bold, visionary scientific concept - a long-term research dream grounded in scientific expertise, originality, and transformative potential. Immediate feasibility or preliminary data are not required. It is expected that proposed ideas go beyond the ambitions of a typical ERC or NIH grant. For more information, please see the ‘Participate’ section.
Yes. The award encourages visionary ideas across all areas of the life sciences, including interdisciplinary and unconventional approaches that have the potential to significantly advance biological understanding. For more information, please see the ‘Participate’ section.
Proposals are evaluated by the international Scientific Committee based on their originality, scientific vision, intellectual depth, and potential long-term impact on the life sciences.
All submitted proposals undergo an initial screening followed by a comprehensive evaluation by the Scientific Committee. Five finalists are selected and invited to present their scientific vision in person at the final event in Prague, where the laureate is chosen. For more information, please see the ‘About DBA’ section.
Yes. The finalists are invited to Prague, Czech Republic to deliver a formal presentation of their scientific vision and engage in a discussion with the Scientific Committee during the final event. For more information, please see the ‘About DBA’ section.
The laureate will be selected after the final presentations held in Prague on December 3–4, 2026. For more information, please see the 'News & Schedule' section.
The laureate will receive an exclusive, uniquely designed trophy made of Bohemian glass, commemorative diploma and a cash prize of 10 000 EUR presented during the final ceremony, on December 4, 2026.
The Dream Biology Award is organized exclusively by IOCB Prague, a globally recognized interdisciplinary research institute focused on chemistry and biology.
No. Each applicant may submit only one proposal per competition year.
Travel and accommodation arrangements for the finalists invited to the final event in Prague, held on December 3-4, 2026, will be covered by the organizer.
Applicants retain full intellectual ownership of their submitted ideas. The organizer does not claim intellectual property rights over the proposals or the ideas presented within.
All application materials must be submitted in English to ensure fair evaluation.
The final presentations and award ceremony will take place in Prague, Czech Republic, at IOCB Prague (the organizing institution), on December 3-4, 2026.
The four finalists will receive a commemorative diploma and a cash prize of 1 000 EUR presented during the final ceremony, on December 4, 2026.
