The Rosenkranz Prize

The 2021 Dr. George Rosenkranz Prize will be awarded to a Stanford researcher doing innovative work to improve health in low- or middle-income countries. Dr. Rosenkranz committed his career to reducing health disparities across the globe, and this prize honors his work. Aimed at fostering innovative new research, the Rosenkranz Prize is a stipend of US $100,000 awarded over a two-year period. Moreover, the Prize is not simply a financial resource—it will also provide its recipients with an incubating network of like-minded unconventional global health scholars and a seat at the table for such events as the Rosenkranz Global Health Policy Symposium. 

Background

Dr. Rosenkranz devoted his career to improving health care access across the world. Born in Hungary in 1916 and trained in chemistry by Nobel Prize winner Leopold Ruzicka, Dr. Rosenkranz helped first synthesize Cortisone in 1951. This remarkable discovery—made in Mexico by Dr. Rosenkranz and a team of similarly youthful scientists—shaped Dr. Rosenkranz’s career of far-reaching, innovative work. In that same decade, Dr. Rosenkranz’s team would synthesize the active ingredient for the first oral birth control. Partnering with a Wall Street investor for further drug development, Dr. Rosenkranz became CEO of Syntex, a position he held until 1981.

Committed to the country where he started his career, Dr. Rosenkranz helped found the Mexican National Institute for Genomic Medicine. His work was honored by the President in Mexico in 2001 with the Eduardo Liceaga Medal.  An inductee into the Bridge Hall of Fame in 2000, Dr. Rosenkranz lived with his wife in Menlo Park, CA, until his death in 2019 at age 102, and has three children.

What the Prize Entails

The Rosenkranz Prize Award Committee will convene to choose a Stanford researcher whose work fulfills the vision of the award. The Rosenkranz Award winner will receive US$100,000 to support such expenses as research costs, the defrayment of travel expenses and publication fees. 

Eligibility:

Eligible recipients include Stanford instructors, research associates, postdoctoral students, and faculty at any career stage from any discipline (including, but not limited to, the basic sciences, engineering, medicine, health policy, environmental and earth sciences, political science, economics, law, business, and the humanities). All applicants must be enrolled or employed at Stanford during the duration of the two-year award.

NOTE: Eligibility for the Rosenkranz Prize was previously restricted to junior Stanford researchers. However, researchers at any career stage, including senior faculty, are now eligible to apply – although preference will still be given to junior scholars. 

Submission Requirements: 

- Current CV
- Research Proposal (3 page maximum)
- 1 Letter of Support (for applicants below the rank of tenured faculty)

Dates and Deadlines:

-Submission Deadline: Monday, March 22, 2021
-Prize Awarded: Late Spring

Learn More About Previous Rosenkranz Prize Winners: 

Postdoc Ashley Styczynski investigates the epidemiology behind the alarmingly high rate of stillbirths in Banglash
Assistant Professor of Medicine and of Microbiology and Immunology Prasanna Jagannathan hopes to develop malaria vaccine targeting pregnant women
Assistant Professor of Health Research and Policy and Statistician Mike Baiocchi brings statistics to rape prevention in Kenya
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Genetics Amy Bhatt to launch microbiome research project in Africa

How to Apply

-Applications can be submitted via the link below. 
-Apply now: https://stanfordmedicine.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4ZWaaqjoWjShIdU
-The Rosenkranz Prize application deadline is Monday March 22, 2021, 5:00pm Pacific Time. 

Fellowship Coordinator 
Zulema Garibo
615 Crothers Way, Office 187
Stanford, CA 94305-6019
(650) 736-0815 (voice)
zgaribo@stanford.edu