The Anton Dohrn Prize for Research Excellence in the Science of Marine Life

Organized by: Dohrn Foundation and Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn

 

CALL FOR NOMINATION

1. Purpose of the Prize
The Anton Dohrn prize will recognize individuals whose contributions have advanced our scientific understanding of any aspect of marine life, including its
evolution and capacity to adapt to a changing environment. The prize intends to highlight the importance of marine studies in furthering our knowledge of the function and development of living organisms and reinforce public awareness of the sea, its inhabitants, and its impact on biogeochemical cycles.

2. Why Anton Dohrn and the Stazione Zoologica
The visionary approach of Anton Dohrn that led to the foundation of the Stazione Zoologica in Naples is still entirely valid. The richness of marine biodiversity, that
Anton Dohrn explored in order to prove the theory of evolution, continues to provide new insights, now with increased amplitude and detail owing to the introduction of genomics in the exploration of marine life.

In recognition of this vision and of the role that the Stazione Zoologica, that he established in Naples, played in the history of biology and of biological research, the
Stazione Zoologica and its sister organization, the Dohrn Foundation, have decided to launch a prize dedicated to the legacy of Anton Dohrn.

3. Prize Details
The prize will have 2 categories:
JUNIOR
The award will include:
- A monetary prize of 1,000 €
- An invitation to deliver a keynote lecture to the general public at the Stazione Zoologica
- Media coverage and dissemination through partner networks
Eligibility:
- Individuals of all nationalities can be nominated
- The award will be given to the best PhD thesis completed in the last 5 years (phd thesis completed from 2021 onward. Theses completed before 2021 will
not be considered)
- Self-nomination will not be considered
- The thesis must be related to the scientific understanding of marine life
Nomination forms must include:
- Curriculum vitae
- List of up to 3 key publications
- An abstract of the thesis including a summary of the key findings (max 5000 characters including spaces)
Nomination should be uploaded here by September 15th, 2026
The Award will be delivered in a public ceremony to be held in Naples in December 2026.
 
SENIOR
The award will include:
- A monetary prize of 10,000 €
- An invitation to deliver a keynote lecture to the general public at the Stazione Zoologica
- Media coverage and dissemination through partner networks
Eligibility:
- Individuals of all nationalities can be nominated
- The award can be given for a single discovery (e.g. the structure of DNA) or a
body of work (e.g. the theory of evolution)
- Only active researchers can be nominated
- Self-nominations will not be considered
- Either individual or team contributions will be considered
- Research must be related to the scientific understanding of marine life
Nomination form must include:
- Curriculum Vitae
- List of 10 key publications
- Maximum 2-page statement highlighting key findings (max 5000 characters including spaces)
Nomination should be uploaded here by December 15th, 2026.
The Award will be delivered in a public ceremony to be held in Naples in 2027.
4. Selection Process
The selection of the winner among the nominees will be carried out by the Anton Dohrn prize scientific committee:
- Iain Mattaj (chair) - FRS, member of National Academy of Sciences, FMedSci
- Corinne Le Quéré - FRS, Research Professor of Climate Change Science at University of East Anglia
- Roberto Bassi - Member of Accademia dei Lincei and EMBO; President at Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
- Christopher Bowler - Member of Accademia dei Lincei and EMBO; Research Director at CNRS
- Rosalind Rickaby - FRS;, Chair of Geology at Oxford University
- Paul Falkowski - Member of National Academy of Sciences; Bennet L. Smith Professor of Business and Natural Resources.
- Tim Hunt, Member: FRS, National Academy of Sciences; Professor Emeritus at The Francis Crick Institute

Contact Information:
Dohrn Foundation
Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
Email: premiodohrn@fondazionedohrn.it