**PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION**
All around the world, thousands of scientists are dedicating their efforts to finding solutions to scientific problems in their fields of expertise, aiming to enhance living conditions and make the universe a more hospitable place for all living creatures.
While striving for outstanding achievements, it is essential to remember that diligence along the way is equally important. Envisioning a world of "science without borders", where interdisciplinary collaboration transcends geographical limitations, inspires us to make a meaningful impact.
We believe that life is too short; often, by the time we learn something new, we realize we are already at an age where we should contribute. Sharing experiences with talented juniors and encouraging them to pursue their scientific endeavors can lead to a better future.
To acknowledge junior scientists for their efforts and achievements, and to encourage them to pursue their goals, the Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) was established.
The USERN Prize was awarded for the first time at the closing ceremony of the 1st USERN Congress. The operational plan is briefly outlined in the following sections. The USERN Prize is an international award established by USERN, to be bestowed annually upon junior scientists or researchers under the age of 40 for any novel advancements or achievements in scientific education, research, or service to humanity across five scientific fields: Formal Sciences, Physical-Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
The International Festivals for Awarding the USERN Prize are held on November 10th, coinciding with the World Science Day for Peace and Development.
The hosts of the festivals were Tehran (Iran), Kharkiv (Ukraine), Reggio Calabria (Italy), Budapest (Hungary), Iran (Tehran), Turkey (Istanbul), Oman (Muscat), Yerevan (Armenia), Plovdiv (Bulgaria), and Sao Paulo (Brazil) during 2016-2025.
Timeline for 2026 prize application:
Inviting the international jury, including the top 1% of scientists worldwide, for cooperation: January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026
The universal announcement of the festival and beginning of registration: January 1, 2026
Deadline for registration of candidates: June 1, 2026
Initial assessment of candidates and proposed works: June 1-15, 2026
Final referee of candidates by the international jury: June 16 - July 15, 2026
Notification of final decision to the Laureates through the email: August 2026
Formal invitation of the winners and honorary guests: September 2026
Deadline for registration of participants in Congress: September 31, 2026
Executive works for holding the Congress and the Festival (hotel reservation for international guests, preparation of the place for holding the festival and the closing ceremony, coordination for scientific and social event): September 1st- October 31st, 2026
Festival Exposition: November 8-10th, 2026
Festival Ceremony: November 10th, 2026
The 1st Prize Delegate "USERN Award" includes:
- 5,000$ award for Promoting the Advancement of Scientific Knowledge in a responsible manner to address human needs and aspirations - USERN Prize statuettes presented along with USERN Medal - Special USERN gift
- Free registration to all scientific and social events during the Congress- Prize Laureates will be offered Honorary Advisory Board membership of USERN, for 3 years, according to the USERN Statute
- USERN Laureates will be offered a one-week scientific visit at their own cost to several top institutes worldwide, which will be credited for 2026-2028 (should be discussed and arranged, if interested)
5,000$ USERN award includes:
- 3,000 USD, including a 2,000 USD cash award during the USERN 2026 Festival (November 10th) and up to 1,000 USD Travel Grant to attend the USERN Congress 2026.
- 2,000 USD USERN Grant for the establishment of an active interest group in USERN, leasing to the promotion of your scientific work and scientific output, which could be awarded to you during one of the future USERN Congress 2026-2028.
Instructions for USERN Prize Application
**PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION**
Completing Your Profile
Please ensure that your profile displays your full name, including any middle names or nicknames, with accurate spelling, as this helps prevent name-related confusion.
Please provide an email address in your profile where you can be reached promptly in case of emergencies or questions regarding your project or missing data. We will use the email address you used to register on the website for further contact.
Project Title
Please provide a brief title for your project, innovation, or research program for which you wish to apply for the USERN Prize.
Your Role in the Project
In 3-4 sentences, describe your role in the project, from inception to execution.
Current Status of the Project
What is the current status of your project? Please indicate whether it is active, on hold, completed, or dropped. Your project may be either funded or unfunded.
Project Abstract
Outline the main features of your project, including the origin of the idea, resources, methods, executive process, results, and impacts.
Impact on Humanity
In 3-4 short sentences; explain how the results of your project might affect the welfare, economic progress, or health improvement of nations and individuals.
Impact on Science
Describe how the results of your project may change current trends in the field, open new research areas, or provide a basis for interdisciplinary research.
Innovation of the Project
What aspects of your project would you like to highlight?
Science Category
Please select one of the following categories for your project:
Biological Science (including agricultural sciences, biology & biochemistry, environment/ecology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology & genetics, plant & animal science, pharmacology & toxicology, neuroscience & behavior)
Formal Science (including all forms of mathematical and computer science)
Medical Science (all areas of clinical medicine, including clinical genomics and clinical immunology)
Physical and Chemical Science (including chemistry, geosciences, materials science, physics, space science)
Social Science (including economics & business, art, psychology, and social sciences in general)
Uploading Files
Please upload a square personal portrait of yourself in PNG or JPG format.
You may also upload supplemental documents in PDF or DOCX or JPG format.
Age Requirement
Please note that age is an important criterion for this award. The prize is only available to scientists under 40 years old as of November 10, 2026. Ensure that your birth date is after November 10, 1986.
We understand that some applicants may have experienced disruptions due to war or maternity leave. However, these circumstances do not affect the age restriction.
Affiliation Format
Please ensure that your affiliation is updated in social databases.
Online Presence
Please be aware that some jurors may search for your name and review your resume in databases such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Scopus, or other databases. It may be beneficial to update your information on these platforms and include your URLs in your submission.
Completeness of Submission
Incomplete data or forms may affect your results. Be mindful that any missing information could disqualify your submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible by age?
You must be born after November 10, 1986, and be 40 years old or younger.
Why do I get a 500 error?
Your submission may exceed the word limit. Reduce your word count and try again.
My application won’t submit.
Check your submission meets all requirements and follow the instructions carefully.
Do I need to pay to submit my application?
No. Submission is completely free.
Can I edit my application after submitting it?
Yes. You can make changes until the submission deadline.
I didn’t receive an invitation. Can I participate?
Yes. You can participate freely.
When will results be announced?
August 2026.
Who receives a certificate?
The top five applicants in each field.
Will age be adjusted for special conditions such as pregnancy or war experience?
No. Age cannot be adjusted for any reasons.
You can also watch the instructions for registering in USERN website and submitting the application in the official USERN youtube channel:
- Registering in USERN website: Youtube link
- Submitting the prize application: Youtube link
If you have any questions, you can contact us at: