Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research

Eligibility

Any investigator(s) active in MS research is eligible for the prize, and the nominee(s) may be from any institution or organization— public or private, government, as well as commercial entities. The award is intended for early to mid-career MS researchers. Nominees should have no more than 20 years of experience as an independent investigator or team leader to be eligible. There are no specific requirements for residency or citizenship. Nominees need not be current or past grantees of the National MS Society.

Summary

The Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research recognizes an exceptional scientist or a team of scientists whose work in MS research has demonstrated outstanding innovation and originality. This annual prize, made possible by the generosity of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, has been increased to $125,000 to be used at the discretion of the recipient. New this year, the prize also includes a $200,000 fellowship award at the recipient’s institution for a trainee chosen by the recipient.

Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research

This international prize is administered through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and made possible by the generosity of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation. Charles and Margery were two powerful visionaries of the MS movement. They were a driving force to accelerate pathways to new treatments and ultimately a cure for multiple sclerosis.Their belief that one creative and driven individual can accelerate a world free of MS gave rise to the Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research, which recognizes an exceptional scientist or team whose work in MS research has demonstrated outstanding innovation and originality. Chuck and Margie often noted that “MS has affected our lives in many ways. We want a world without MS.”

Overview

The Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research recognizes an exceptional scientist or a team of scientists whose work in MS research has demonstrated outstanding innovation and originality. This annual prize, made possible by the generosity of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, has been increased to $125,000 to be used at the discretion of the recipient. New this year, the prize also includes a $200,000 fellowship award at the recipient’s institution for a trainee chosen by the recipient.Read more about the prize: “Introducing the Barancik Prize Lecture Series” Multiple Sclerosis Journal (November 5, 2019; open access) Read about the 2023 recipient – Sergio Baranzini, PhDRead about the 2022 recipient – Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, PhD, whose lecture is summarized in Multiple Sclerosis Journal “The Barancik lecture: Comorbidity in multiple sclerosis—Looking backward, looking forward” (open access)Read about the 2021 recipient – Amit Bar-Or, MDRead about the 2020 recipient – Dwight E. Bergles, PhD2019 recipient – Francisco Quintana, PhDRead about the 2018 recipient – Katerina Akassoglou, PhDRead about the 2017 recipient – Robin Franklin, PhD, whose lecture is summarized in this paper in Multiple Sclerosis Journal: “Remyelination and ageing: Reversing the Ravages of Time”Read about the 2016 recipient – Daniel Reich, MD, PhD2015 recipients  – Laura Balcer, MD, MSCE, Peter Calabresi, MD, and Elliot Frohman, MD, PhD2014 recipient – Philip De Jager, MD, PhD2013 recipient – Jonah Chan, PhD

Criteria and nominations

The goal of the prize is to recognize innovation in scientific research in the field of multiple sclerosis. Nominations must be submitted on behalf an individual, or team of individuals, by one or more colleagues or mentors. Self-nominations are not permitted. Nomination letters should include current institution and contact information of the nominator and nominee. The narrative should address the nominee’s scientific accomplishments with an emphasis on citing the innovative and impactful aspects of the nominee’s work, including a maximum of 2 journal citations if appropriate.Previous nominations are not automatically carried forward. If you wish to re-nominate a previous candidate, please update the earlier nomination with any significant developments and/or citations and resubmit.A selection committee comprised of leaders in science, medicine, and MS advocacy will review nominees. The committee will evaluate:

• Exceptional innovation and originality in scientific research relevant to MS
• Impact and potential of the research to lead to pathways for the treatment and cure for MS
• Scientific accomplishments that merit recognition as a future leader in MS research

Nominees that exhibit these qualities will be invited to submit a final application that will include an interview by the selection committee.

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

Deadlines for the 2023 prize: Nominations open May 15, 2024 – and will be accepted until August 12, 2024. Nomination letters should be emailed to Barancik.Prize@nmss.org

Questions about the prize may be addressed to Anna Lampe (Anna.Lampe@nmss.org) or Bruce Bebo, PhD (Bruce.Bebo@nmss.org)