Established in 2009 by EFIS and the European Journal of Immunology (EJI), Ita Askonas award recognizes exceptional female group leaders in immunology who have led an independent lab for four to ten years. Since 2023, the prize is awarded annually and coordinated by the EFIS Gender & Diversity Task Force.

The prize consists of a 20,000 EUR cash award, plus support for travel, accommodations and registration to attend an award ceremony to be held at the next European Congress of Immunology, ECI 2027 in Florence, Italy.
Nominations are invited for female members of EFIS-affiliated national societies working in a European research institution who have run an independent laboratory for a minimum of four and no more than ten years. Candidates must have an outstanding track record of achievement in immunology.

Nominations must be submitted exclusively by an EFIS member society, which may submit up to three candidates. Deadline for nominations is June 30, 2026.

More information for nomination process and application can be found on EFIS webpage.