The Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute & Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research is inviting applications from early-career scientists who are using artificial intelligence to make significant advances in the physical or life sciences. Presented by the Chen Institute and Science, the prize recognises innovative research that uses AI techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision or deep learning to address fundamental scientific questions. The 2027 competition offers a US$30,000 grand prize, while up to two runners-up will each receive US$10,000. Winners will also receive a five-year digital subscription to Science, publication of their winning essays and reasonable travel and accommodation for the awards ceremony, where applicable. Application deadline: December 13, 2026 About the Chen Institute & Science Prize The prize is designed to recognise researchers whose work demonstrates how AI can substantially expand what is scientifically possible. Eligible research should represent a fundamental advance in an empirical science that would not have been feasible without an AI-associated technique augmenting conventional methods in the field. The organisers are particularly interested in research that can inspire other scientists to adopt AI-enabled approaches in their own disciplines. The prize is awarded to an individual researcher based on an essay describing their contribution and the significance of the research. Research can be part of a larger team effort, but the applicant must be an individual and the submitted essay must clearly focus on their own contribution. Who Is Eligible? The competition is aimed at early-career scientists in fields related to artificial intelligence. Applicants must: Hold an M.D., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. at the time of entry. Have received the relevant degree within the 10 years preceding the application. Have conducted research involving AI-associated techniques that addresses fundamental questions in the physical or life sciences. Be able to demonstrate their individual contribution to the research. The 10-year eligibility period may be extended in certain circumstances. The 2027 rules provide an 18-month extension per child born during the eligibility period, up to a maximum of three years, while documented parental or medical leave may qualify for an extension of up to two years. Researchers who have previously won or been runners-up for a Science Prize must generally wait at least five years before becoming eligible for another Science Prize. What Kind of Research Is Eligible? The competition is not simply looking for research that happens to use AI. The AI component should have been essential to achieving a fundamental scientific advance that would not otherwise have been feasible using the standard methods of the discipline. Relevant techniques may include: Machine learning Deep learning Natural language processing Computer vision Other AI-associated computational methods The research should address questions in the physical or life sciences and demonstrate how AI can accelerate, expand or otherwise transform scientific discovery. Applicants should therefore make a strong case for why AI was scientifically consequential rather than merely describing AI as a supporting computational tool. Prize Benefits The grand prize winner will receive US$30,000. The winner will also receive: Reasonable travel and accommodation for the awards ceremony, if applicable A five-year digital subscription to Science Publication of the winning essay in Science, both online and in print Up to two runners-up will each receive US$10,000, along with reasonable travel and accommodation for the awards ceremony where applicable, a five-year digital Science subscription and online publication of their essays. Prize recipients are responsible for applicable taxes and other costs associated with receiving or using the award. Application Requirements Applicants must submit an electronic entry through the prize management system. The application requires: A completed entry form A 1,000-word essay describing the research and fundamental scientific advance One-page letter of recommendation from a postdoctoral adviser, supervisor or senior colleague familiar with the applicant’s work A curriculum vitae Copies of up to two recent research publications relevant to the essay At least one submitted publication must have appeared in a peer-reviewed journal within the previous three calendar years. A second publication is optional, and a preprint of a submitted manuscript may be used as the second paper if the first publication meets the peer-reviewed requirement. Reviews and commentary articles are not accepted for this purpose. The essay may contain one summary figure or table and up to 15 numerical references, which do not count toward the 1,000-word limit. Important AI Use Requirement Applicants should pay particular attention to the prize’s rules concerning generative AI. The 2027 competition states that text generated by AI, machine learning or similar algorithmic tools cannot be used to generate the submission or its accompanying figures, images or graphics. Limited editing tools such as Grammarly may be permitted but must be declared. Applicants must certify that they have complied with the requirement. They remain responsible for the accuracy, originality and appropriate citation of their submissions, and inappropriate use of AI may result in an entry being rejected. How to Prepare a Strong Application The strongest applications should clearly establish the scientific problem, explain the conventional limitations that previously prevented researchers from solving it, and demonstrate precisely how the AI-associated approach overcame those limitations. The 1,000-word essay should focus on scientific significance and the applicant’s individual contribution rather than providing a general description of artificial intelligence. Applicants should also select a publication that provides strong evidence of the research described in the essay and ensure that their recommender can independently speak to the quality and originality of their contribution. Selection Timeline The 2027 competition follows the following schedule: Submissions: August–December 2026 Application deadline: December 13, 2026 Review and selection: January–March 2027 Winner announcement: July 2027 Awards ceremony: October/November 2027 Key Details Prize: Chen Institute & Science Prize for AI Accelerated ResearchCompetition: 2027Grand prize: US$30,000Runners-up: Up to two awards of US$10,000 eachEligible researchers: Early-career scientists with MD, PhD or MD/PhDDegree requirement: Degree received within the last 10 years, subject to eligible extensionsResearch areas: Physical and life sciencesResearch focus: AI-accelerated fundamental scientific researchEssay: 1,000 wordsDeadline: December 13, 2026Winner announcement: July 2027 VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY Applications must be submitted electronically through the official prize management system. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility rules and submission requirements before preparing their entry. 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