New for 2026! The Lasker Foundation is proud to announce a refreshed format for its annual student essay contest. For 2026, the annual essay contest will transition to a video, reflecting the growing importance of visual storytelling in conveying complex biomedical research to diverse audiences.
The Lasker video essay contest provides talented, early-career medical students and researchers with an opportunity to develop critical science communication and video production skills -- capabilities increasingly essential for modern scientific leadership. Those eligible include:
- Medical students, interns, residents, and fellows;
- Doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences;
- Trainees with up to six (6) years of post-PhD research experience; and
- Graduate students enrolled in health professions programs (e.g., public health, dental, pharmacy, etc.) who are currently engaged in research activities.
The video essay contest opens early March 2026 (dates to be announced), sponsored by the Lasker Foundation -- our client, and home to the Lasker Award, regarded as America's preeminent biomedical research prize for nearly 80 years.
Video Submission Requirements:
• Original video submissions accepted March-April 2026 (exact dates to be announced)
• Videos should be 2 minutes in length
• Content in English, addressing this year's theme/topic (to be announced)
• Format designed for compelling scientific communication through video
Winners receive up to $5,000 to offset educational expenses, along with substantive recognition from one of biomedical research's most distinguished institutions.
Winning video essays will be prominently featured on the Lasker Foundation website and promoted through the Journal of Clinical Investigation's July 2026 edition, providing national visibility for participants' work.
We will be back in touch in the weeks ahead with further details, sample social posts, and links to share across relevant channels.
Further information about the Video Essay Contest available here
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Margaret Sena Akpo
Wayne State University
Detroit MI
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