Aim: The Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists will commend young researchers who are pioneering the future of developmental biology through innovative research.
Award Name: JSDB Frontiers Prize
Eligibility: Members of the Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists
Application Procedure: Members who wish to be considered for the prize should submit the following documents (in English or Japanese) by email to
jsdbadmin@jsdb.jp.
JSDB Frontiers Prize Candidate Curriculum Vitae (Word file)
• Describe the background and history that led to the innovative research, the key points of the research, and prospects (free format)
• Curriculum vitae, previous research experience, and achievements (complete form).
• Although not mandatory, it is recommended to submit one or more letters of support (representative stories from colleagues, collaborators, supervisors, etc., highlighting the applicant's innovation). *All unpublished data will be treated as confidential.
Evaluation Method: The selection committee will pre-screen candidates for online interviews through written evaluations of submitted documents. The 11-member committee, including JSDB board members, will seek to ensure diversity in gender, age, and affiliation.
The members of the first committee are: Kiyokazu Agata (Board member,National Institute for Basic Biology), Takeshi Onuma (Kagoshima University), Makoto Kashima (Toho University), Ryuki Shimada (Kumamoto University), Takayuki Suzuki (Osaka Metropolitan University), Sayaka Sekine (Tohoku University), Yoshiko Takahashi (President, Kyoto University), Mikiko Tanaka (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Akira Nakamura (Board member, Kumamoto University), Masahiko Hibi (Nagoya University), Toshihiko Fujimori (Board member, National Institute for Basic Biology).
Awardees will be invited to serve as committee members the next year, with half of the committee members rotating every year. Each committee will nominate members for the following year, to be decided by the JSDB board meeting. Mentors and other stakeholders for specific candidates will recuse themselves from evaluation.
Evaluation Criteria: Each individual is eligible to receive the award only once; a maximum of three awards will be granted each year.
Award Lecture: Awardees will present in English during a designated session at the JSDB annual meeting. Awardees are required to participate and present in the award lecture session. Awardees can also present in regular sessions during the annual meeting; active registration for general presentations is encouraged.
Award: Certificate
Prize and Invitation: Awardees will receive support for travel expenses to participate and present at international conferences, including the Joint Developmental Biology Conference held by developmental biology organizations in other countries (within three years of the award, up to a maximum of ¥300,000). Awardees will also be invited by the Editor-in-chief of Development, Growth & Differentiation, the international journal published by the Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists, to submit articles about their research and prospects in developmental biology.
The application schedule for the 1st JSDB Frontiers Prize is as follows:
Application: March 1–15, 2024 (Same as conference registration)
Document Review: April 1–30, 2024
Interviews: May 1–30, 2024
Awardee Decision and Announcement: June 1, 2024
Award Lecture: June 21, 2024 (Friday) 13:30–14:30
