The 2026 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science
Theme: Human Gene Therapy
Prize: $250,000 USD and14-karat gold medal
Deadline for Submissions: May 30, 2025
The Franklin Institute seeks nominations for the 2026 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science of individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the field of human gene therapy. Since the concept of gene therapy was proposed more than 50 years ago, the development of therapeutic approaches using directed modification of DNA or cells has made significant progress in tackling challenges of biological complexity. Applications of gene editing systems, novel delivery platforms, and immunotherapies now have the potential to be ‘game-changers’ in the treatment of diseases ranging from in-born errors of metabolism to cancers. Nominations should recognize fundamental contributions to the development of strategies for engineering genetic alterations to cells for the treatment of human disease.
Nominations are encouraged in, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Ex vivo/in vivo cellular engineering
- In vivo gene transfer
- Cell-based gene therapies
- Development of viral and non-viral delivery platforms
- Mediators of genotoxicity
Nominations should clearly indicate the scientific or engineering impact—innovative, technical, and/or conceptual—and the societal and/or economic impact of the nominee’s work.
Eligibility
- This is an international competition for individuals who have pioneered novel strategies for engineering genetic alterations to cells for the treatment of human disease.
- As specified by the will of Henry Bower, this award and prize must be presented to an individual, not to a group.
- Candidates must be living, and the winner must participate in The Franklin Institute Awards Week programs, to be held in April 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Nominations from any individual or organization will be accepted, including self-nominations.
- Nominations of candidates traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering are particularly encouraged.
Nomination Procedures
An email of intent to nominate would be appreciated by April 30,2025.
Nominations must be submitted in English and must include:
- Name and contact information of nominee
- Name and contact information of nominator
- Proposed award citation of 50 words or fewer, specifying the achievement(s) for which the candidate is nominated
- Narrative statement describing the nominee’s qualifications for the award, including technical contributions, impact on their field, and broader impact on science and society
- Nominee’s curriculum vitae and bibliography of significant and relevant publications
- Four confidential letters of support requested by the nominator and sent by the letter writers directly to The Franklin Institute Awards Office (note that these letters are in addition to the nominator’s narrative statement)
Nominations should be emailed to:
Beth Scheraga
Director, The Franklin Institute Awards
bscheraga@fi.edu | 215.448.1329
The Franklin Institute Awards celebrates pioneering achievements in science, engineering, and industry and the brilliant people from across the globe who make them. As the oldest science and technology awards program in the U.S., we honor the legacy of our namesake, Benjamin Franklin—America’s first great scientist and an inventor and statesman whose impact can be seen all around us today. Since 1824, we have recognized more than 2,000 of the most world-changing scientists, engineers, inventors, and industrialists—all of whom reflect Franklin’s spirit of curiosity, ingenuity, and innovation. Our roster of past laureates includes Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Marie and Pierre Curie, Albert Einstein, Marshall Nirenberg, Stephen Hawking, Mario Capecchi, Jane Goodall, Seymour Benzer, Nancy Wexler, Victor Ambros, David Baulcombe, Gary Ruvkun, George Church, Peter Nowell, Robert Langer, Philippe Horvath, James Allison, Frances Arnold, Katalin Karikó, Drew Weissman, and Elaine Fuchs.
The Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science, along with the Bower Award for Business Leadership, was established in 1990 through a bequest from Philadelphia chemical manufacturer and philanthropist Henry Bower (1896–1988), the grandson of a 19th century Franklin Institute laureate. The award, 14k gold medal, and cash prize of $250,000 are presented annually to a distinguished member of the international scientific community for work in a prescribed discipline that changes each year. In addition to the Bower Awards, The Franklin Institute presents Benjamin Franklin Medals in chemistry, civil and mechanical engineering, computer and cognitive science, earth and environmental science, electrical engineering, life science, and physics; and the Benjamin Franklin NextGen Award, which honors an early-career researcher.