The prize honours researchers in basic medical sciences or clinical sciences who have made outstanding scientific contributions to the field of RNA-based therapies. In addition, the candidate’s work in the coming years is expected to yield further groundbreaking discoveries or advances.

“The field of RNA therapeutics has come of age with approved medicines ranging from mRNA vaccines to therapies that repair, block or alter gene expression. However, fully realizing the potential of RNA therapeutics requires new breakthroughs in nearly every step in the process, from making safe and effective molecules to delivering them to tissues affected by disease. This year’s Else Kröner Fresenius Prize seeks to advance the promise of RNA therapeutics, in two ways, first by recognizing the recent accomplishments of a scientist at the cutting edge of RNA therapeutics, and second by funding their future work with a major award of 2.5 million euros that will directly advance the field.”

Craig Mello, PhD 
Professor at the RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Chan Medical School, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2006, 
Chair of the Jury of the Else Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Research 2025
 

Selection procedure 

Candidates can be of any nationality and work in any country. They can be nominated by heads of research institutes or professional organizations. Self-nominations are not accepted.

1. Nomination deadline: August 28, 2024 
    
2. Selection of a candidate shortlist: September 2024
   After formal prescreening of nominations by EKFS, an international award committee invites a shortlist of candidates to submit a proposal, with a focus on the future experimental work intended. 
    
3. Reviews of proposals: until December 2024
   Submission of proposals. External expert reviewers are requested to evaluate the scientific potential of future work.
    
4. Nomination of winner: January 2025
   The jury shall propose the ultimate winner based on the reviewers’ assessments. This recommendation must be confirmed by the Foundation Board (“Stiftungsrat”).
    
5. Award ceremony: May 15, 2025
   A festive award ceremony will be held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.  

Prize Jury 

• Craig Mello (Chair), Massachusetts; Nobel Laureate 2006
   
• Elizabeth Blackburn, San Francisco; Nobel Laureate 2009
   
• Stefan Endres, Munich; Chair of the EKFS Scientific Commission 
   
• Jeremy Farrar, Geneva; Chief Scientist of the WHO
   
• Joao Monteiro, Nature Medicine; Chief Editor 
   
• Ole Petter Ottersen, Oslo; Former President Karolinska Institutet
   
• Christian Reinhardt, Essen; Member of the EKFS Scientific Commission
   
• Orla Smith, Science Translational Medicine; Editor 
   
• Fiona Watt, Heidelberg; EMBO Director