Honors

The IRP has nurtured many Nobel Prize winners who either did the bulk of their award-winning research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or trained or worked in one of our laboratories.

Often called “America’s Nobels”, the Lasker Awards recognize the contributions of scientists, physicians, and public servants who have made major advances in the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of human disease.

Founded in 2013 by a group that includes Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki, the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences acknowledges “transformative advances toward understanding living systems and extending human life.” Commonly considered to be Silicon Valley’s answer to the Nobel Prize, the award comes with a $3 million prize.

The Searle Scholars Program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who have recently begun their first appointment at the assistant professor level.

PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. Government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. IRP scientists have been on the list of PECASE recipients every year since 1997.

The National Academies provide expert advice to the U.S. government on issues of science, health, and engineering and, today, comprise three private, nonprofit institutions: The National Academy of Sciences (NAS), National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), established in 1970 originally under the name Institute of Medicine (IOM), is the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE), founded in 1964, is the engineering arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Medal of Science is bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in science and engineering.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is an honor granted by the President of the United States to American inventors and innovators.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with the comparable Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian award in the U.S.

The Service to America Medals highlight excellence in our federal workforce by recognizing exceptional federal employees who are breaking down barriers, overcoming huge challenges, and getting results.

The Canada Gairdner Awards recognize scientists who make breakthrough discoveries in medical research, advance the knowledge of human biology and medicine, and make significant contributions to global public health.