The Eclipse Award for Innovations in RNA-based and RNA Targeting Therapies was established in 2021 to recognize research achievements by junior researchers in the growing area of therapies that either consist of RNA or that target an RNA or RNA binding proteins. Two prizes will be awarded – one each to a current graduate student and current post-doctoral fellow – based on research accomplishments to date in the broad area of RNA therapeutics. This award, sponsored by Eclipse BioInnovations Inc., is open to all graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who are current members of the RNA Society at the time of application.
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Applications for The Eclipse Award for Innovations in RNA-based and RNA Targeting Therapies must include the following material:
- Applicant’s current CV
- A 7,000-character Summary of your research contributions and accomplishments to date in the area of RNA therapies (~1500 words)
- A 2,500-character Abstract that would form the basis of a mini-review in RNA that examines an important concept in the field of RNA therapies (~500 words)
- A Letter of Support from the research advisor summarizing the applicant’s cumulative contributions to the area of RNA-based and RNA Targeting Therapies. Letters of Support must be submitted electronically to the link provided on the online application site by the application deadline. Letters must include the applicant’s last name and award type in the file name.
Judging Procedures:
Applications will be evaluated by the RNA Society Awards Committee and judged on the applicant’s cumulative contribution to advancing RNA research and discovery as detailed in the application material. One award will be presented each to a current graduate student and one to a current post-doctoral fellow (for a total of two awards per year).
Prize:
The winners each year will be awarded a prize with an estimated value of $5,000 that includes complementary registration to the RNA Society Annual Meeting and reimbursement for travel and accommodations to attend this meeting. Winners will also receive a cash prize of $500, a commemorative plaque, a complementary RNA Society membership (including a personal subscription to RNA), and a waiver of all Author Page and Open Access publication charges associated with publication of a mini-review article in RNA (*winners, by accepting the The Eclipse Award for Innovations in RNA-based and RNA Targeting Therapies, agree to contribute a mini-review article to RNA within the calendar year of the award). Winners will be announced and recognized on the RNA Society website, through social media channels, and during the RNA Society Annual Meeting.
Deadline:
Completed applications (including Letter of Support) must be received by October 5, 2026 in order to be considered (please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the Letter of Support is submitted by the deadline date). Incomplete or late applications will not be evaluated.
Further information
Email [email protected] for any questions about this award
Previous Winners:
Graduate Student:
Oguzhan Begik (2022), Han Altae-Tran (2023), Morghan Lucas (2024), Dawn Chen (2025), Patrick Bohn (2026).
Postdoctoral Fellow:
Aldema Sas-Chen (2022), Shira Weingarten-Gabbay (2023), Giulia Biancon (2024), Nandan Gokhale (2025), Luca Ducoli (2026).
