The IUIS Excellence in Immunology Award (EXCEL) is the first and only IUIS prize that specifically recognizes women and non-binary immunologists for their outstanding research accomplishments. This triennial USD 40,000 award was established by the GEC in 2020 as Menarini Prize and will be continued as EXCEL Award from now on.
The first awardee was Dr. Diane Mathis, whose tremendous achievements in immunology were celebrated with an award ceremony at the 18th International Congress of Immunology (IUIS 2023) in Cape Town, South Africa. The next EXCEL prize will be awarded at the IUIS congress 2025 in Vienna, Austria, and at all the future IUIS congresses thereafter.
Rules for nominations and selection of awardees are described below.
First step: Nominations
The IUIS Gender Equity Committee (GEC) has formed a Nomination Committee (NC) composed of 100 outstanding immunologists. The IUIS commitment to equality and diversity across the divides of race, age, national origin or social status is reflected to the extent possible in the composition of the NC.
Each member of the NC is responsible for collecting one nomination consisting of the following:
- A nomination letter
- CV of the nominee
- List of up to ten publications
- One page summary of the nominee’s research accomplishments
Female and non-binary members of the NC may self-nominate, in which case they must submit two letters of support for their nomination from two other members of the Nomination Committee.
Nominations should be sent to info@iuis.org to the attention of Mitra Momeni.
Second step: Shortlist
A Selection Committee (SC) composed of 12 outstanding immunologists, including the past Chair of the GEC Committee, is formed for a three-year term. Members of the SC will create a shortlist of three candidates from the nominations received.
Third step: Finalist
The GEC Committee and the IUIS President will identify the winner from the shortlist.
Final step: the EXCEL Award Ceremony
The winner of the EXCEL award will be invited to the next IUIS congress to receive the prize and give an award lecture, followed by a celebration.