About:
“Z-Prize” (pronounced [th ee] prize) is a no-bureaucracy
charitable gift to fund a project submitted by a scientist or a team in
response to a call for proposals.
Z-Prize is intended to motivate the scientific community to
propose new ways and projects that focus on specific areas of research,
infrastructure development or public advocacy.
If you would like to set up a Z-Prize to attract more
scientists (and especially young scientists) into your area of research, find
new ways to solve your problem, find scientific collaborations or simply give
to other scientists, send an email to alex (at) biogerontology (org) and we
will post your idea online.
Z-Prize payout is historically $3,000, but the sum may vary.
Some projects may require significantly more resources.
The first three Z-Prizes are offered by in the following
areas:
1. Popularization of Science
Announced: December 10th
Awarded: January 15th
Description:
Looking for a high-impact project to popularize biomedical
discoveries in Russia and internationally and motivate more young people to
pursue scientific research. Our highly successful First Open Institute for
Regenerative Medicine for Young Scientists (FOIRMYS) needs to get an extension
that would attract more young enthusiasts to advance science.
Awarded to: Nadezhda Tatevovova and her team
Project: Establishing a non-profit organization codenamed
Alpha-Delta-Tau-Chi, with the official name “International Center for the
Development of Young Leaders in Science”.
Award: $3,000 plus infrastructural support
2. Economics of Aging
Announced: tbd
Awarded: tbd
Description:
Advances in biomedicine leading to increases in Productive
Longevity are likely to become the new source of economic growth in the
developed countries. However, both policy makers and citizens do not expect to
live much longer than their parents.
The award will be given out to a group to study the effects
of adaptive and realistic expectations for longevity (both household and firm)
on the economy.
3. In Silico Geroprotector Screening
Announced: tbd
Awarded: tbd
Description:
Proving the efficacy of geroprotective drugs in humans may
take decades and there is an urgent need to build in silico systems for
screening and ranking of various compounds. The vast amount of biomedical data
may be used to predict the effectiveness of the many drugs and other factors on
the aging profiles of both cells and organisms.
The prize will be awarded for the proposal to build an in
silico system or a module to predict the effectiveness of drugs that may slow
human aging using the genetic and epigenetic data.
The modus operandi for the Z-Prize is
as follows:
- 1 A scientist or a research-oriented organization decides to establish a Z-Prize to motivate scientists to focus on a certain research area or a project and funds the prize
- 2 The prize is announced to a broad community of young scientists via social networks for a defined duration
- 3 The scientist establishing the prize selects the project proposal he/she believes in
- 4 The prize is awarded and the winner is announced
Past Competitions:
Popularization of Science
Announced: December 10th
Awarded: January 15th
Description:
Looking for a high-impact project to popularize biomedical
discoveries in Russia and internationally and motivate more young people to
pursue scientific research. Our highly successful First Open Institute for
Regenerative Medicine for Young Scientists (FOIRMYS) needs to get an extension
that would attract more young enthusiasts to advance science.
Awarded to: Nadezhda Tatevovova and her team
Project: Establishing a non-profit organization codenamed
Alpha-Delta-Tau-Chi, with the official name “International Center for the
Development of Young Leaders in Science”.
Award: $3,000 plus infrastructural support