Why science communication award?
If we want the voices of science to be heard, we need good science stories.
We need loads of good science stories.Dr. Samuel Lagier, science communication and public speaking coach
In today’s an era of post-truth and misinformation, we need science to be heard. Evidence-based decisions in healthcare, policy, and education depend on clear, compelling communication.
scientifyRESEARCH champions science that addresses the world’s greatest challenges. Last year, we launched the inaugural Science Communication Award to empower researchers in sharing their science stories and raise awareness on key issues globally.
About the award
The Science Communication Award, hosted by scientifyRESEARCH, is an international competition that invites scientists to translate their cutting-edge, peer-reviewed research into engaging written and video content for non-specialist audiences. The award recognizes researchers who not only advance scientific knowledge but also make their science accessible to the public.
This year’s topic
The 2025 edition celebrates progress in rare disease research and healthcare, a global challenge affecting more than 5% of the world population. By connecting researchers, research funders, patient advocates, those affected by rare diseases, and the general public, it aims to inspire hope scientific progress will lead to practical solutions for rare diseases.
Tentative timeline
June 2025. Open for submissions
We invite researchers of any career stage, anywhere in the world, working on rare diseases who have published their work in a peer-reviewed scientific journal in the past 3 years, to submit a 1000-word essay on their work.
October 1, 2025. Submission deadline
Researchers are requested to submit their essays asap and by October 1, 2025 at the latest.
Submitting early means that your essay has more time to reach its target audience and more likely to reach the top 10.
October 15, 2025. Editorial checks
All essays meeting our editorial requirements are published on the scientifyRESEARCH website and shared on social media.
Essays are published by October 15, 2025 at the latest.
November 15, 2025. Dissemination stage
Promote your essay among your network. Essays with the top 10 views by November 15, 2025 will proceed to the jury round of the competition.
December 2025. Jury round
The top 5 essays based on jury scores will be announced early December 2025.
January 15, 2026. Video round
The top 5 entries will proceed to the video and final round of the competition, whereby participants are tasked with generating a 3-minute video to convey their research to a general audience.
February 2026. Online award ceremony
The top 5 finalists will present their 3-minute pitch at our live online award ceremony in February/March 2026, where the winner and two runner ups will be announced.
There will also be a live voting for the people’s choice award.
Competition entry requirements
Your profile
Have you recently published a primary research journal article that advances rare disease research and healthcare? Are you a researcher affiliated to an academic institution / university?
Your task
We invite you to transform your journal article into an engaging 1000-word essay for a general audience for a chance to win a financial prize for personal use and further development of your science communication efforts!
Submission criteria
The essay must be based on a researcher’s published, peer-reviewed scientific journal article that advances rare disease research and healthcare.
- The original journal article must have been peer-reviewed and published online in the past 3 years a reputable scientific journal (after January 1, 2023)
- Researchers must be affiliated with reputable academic research institutions / universities worldwide*
*The institutions must not be situated in countries or territories currently subject to embargoes by the UN, USA, or the EU.
Essay publication criteria
Your entry must meet our basic editorial standard
All suitable entries that meet a basic editorial standard will be published online as part of the scientifyRESEARCH blog. These basic editorial standard include**:
- Authors meet the eligibility requirements
- Essay meets the entry requirements
- Content of essay is factually correct and based on the authors’ recently published, peer-reviewed scientific article
- Any use of AI tools are for support purposes only and the authors take full responsibility for the content of their essays
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