Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science

Eligibility

The Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science is presented for outstanding achievement in a different, predetermined field of interest each year. As stipulated by the will of Henry Bower, this award includes a 14-karat gold medal and a $250,000 cash prize. The theme of the 2026 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science is Human Gene Therapy.

• This is an international competition for individuals who have pioneered novel strategies for engineering genetic alterations to cells for the treatment of human disease.
• As specified by the will of Henry Bower, this award and prize must be presented to an individual, not to a group.
• Candidates must be living, and the winner must participate in The Franklin Institute Awards Week programs, to be held in April 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Nominations from any individual or organization will be accepted, including self-nominations.
• Nominations of candidates traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering are particularly encouraged.

Summary

The Franklin Institute seeks nominations for the 2026 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science of individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the field of human gene therapy. Since the concept of gene therapy was proposed more than 50 years ago, the development of therapeutic approaches using directed modification of DNA or cells has made significant progress in tackling challenges of biological complexity. Applications of gene editing systems, novel delivery platforms, and immunotherapies now have the potential to be ‘game-changers’ in the treatment of diseases ranging from in-born errors of metabolism to cancers. Nominations should recognize fundamental contributions to the development of strategies for engineering genetic alterations to cells for the treatment of human disease. 

Nominations are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Ex vivo/in vivo cellular engineering
• In vivo gene transfer
• Cell-based gene therapies
• Development of viral and non-viral delivery platforms
• Mediators of genotoxicity

Nominations should clearly indicate the scientific or engineering impact—innovative, technical, and/or conceptual—and the societal and/or economic impact of the nominee’s work.
 

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

Nominations must be submitted in English and must include:

• Name and contact information of nominee 
• Name and contact information of nominator
• Proposed award citation of 50 words or fewer, specifying the achievement(s) for which the candidate is nominated
• Narrative statement describing the nominee’s qualifications for the award, including technical contributions, impact on their field, and broader impact on science and society 
• Nominee’s curriculum vitae and bibliography of significant and relevant publications
• Four confidential letters of support requested by the nominator and sent by the letter writers directly to The Franklin Institute Awards Office (note that these letters are in addition to the nominator’s narrative statement)
  Nominations should be emailed to:

Beth Scheraga
Director, The Franklin Institute Awards
bscheraga@fi.edu | 215.448.1329