Award Nominations - Lasker Foundation

Nominations for the 2025 Lasker Awards are closed. The Foundation will begin accepting nominations for the 2026 Awards on November 3rd.

Lasker Award nominations and all supporting materials are submitted through our online portal. You will be able to work on, save, and return to your nomination before making a final submission.

Questions about submitting a nomination? Read our FAQ.

Criteria for the Lasker Awards

Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award: For a fundamental discovery that opens up a new area of biomedical science.
Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award: For a major advance that improves the lives of many thousands of people.
Lasker~Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science: For research accomplishments and scientific statesmanship that engender the deepest feelings of awe and respect.
Individuals or organizations must meet at least one of the following selection criteria for the Lasker~Bloomberg Public Service Award: 1) improving the public’s understanding of medical research, public health, or healthcare; 2) playing a major role in the support of policy, legislative, or other initiatives that accelerate progress in medical science or health; 3) providing or generating support for medical science or public health; 4) benefiting the lives of many people through public health practice.
The Lasker Foundation seeks nominations of outstanding candidates; nominations of women and minorities are encouraged.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to be nominated?

Anyone who has made an original and significant contribution in basic or clinical medical research, or in public service, is eligible for nomination. Lasker Awards are highly competitive and are bestowed on individuals whose work opens new areas of biomedical science or public service. Award winners may reside in any country of the world.

Are there limits as to how many nominations may be submitted by a single institution?

There are not; nominations are encouraged for all outstanding work.

Are Lasker Awards given every year?

The Basic Award and the Clinical Award are given annually. The Special Achievement Award and the Public Service Award are given in alternate years.

Are word limits on nomination strictly enforced?

Yes. Word limits are necessary given the volume of nominating materials received by the Foundation.

Nominators of the Basic and Clinical Research Awards are asked to identify other scientists(s) in addition to the nominee(s) who should also be considered for the Award. Why is this?

Scientific discoveries often result from collaborative work or from independent observations made by several individuals. The Lasker Jury considers this question a crucial one, and nominations without an answer to the question will be returned.

Are letters of support required?

Supporting letters from colleagues familiar with the nominee(s)’s work are not required, but they are helpful for Jury members’ evaluations and they are strongly encouraged.

Letters in support of basic nominations should address the nature of the nominee(s)’s discoveries, and how those discoveries have opened up a new area of biomedical science. Letters in support of clinical nominations should address uniquely innovative contributions of the nominee(s) that have advanced patient care for thousands of people.

No more than five (5) letters of support per nomination will be accepted for Medical Research Award nominations. While there is no limit to the number of letters that may be sent in support of Public Service Award nominations, quality should be emphasized over quantity.

It is acceptable to send support letters by email (in PDF format) to dkeegan@laskerfoundation.org.