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

 Senior Prize

Organized by: Fondazione Dohrn 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 award will be given to a single individual and it 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 forms 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 by December 15th, 2026.

The Award will be delivered in a public ceremony to be held in Naples in 2027.

Upload Nominations Here

4. Scientific committee

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Corinne Le Quéré - FRS, Research Professor of Climate Change Science at University of East Anglia
  • Rosalind Rickaby - FRS, Chair of Geology at Oxford University

Contact Information:

Fondazione Dohrn
Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
Email: premiodohrn@fondazionedohrn.it