“Lombardy is Research” international Award: Deadline Extended to 16 July

There is now an additional month to apply for the international “Lombardia è Ricerca” (“Lombardy is Research”) Award promoted by Lombardy Region.

The application deadline has been extended until 16 July 2026 for the €1 million prize awarded to scientists of any nationality who have made a significant contribution to the development of highly innovative research projects.

Applications can be submitted exclusively online through the “Lombardy is Research” International Award webpage.

Predictive Medicine, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data

The decision to extend the application deadline reflects the strong interest generated by this year’s theme: “Predictive Medicine Based on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data”.

“We have decided to extend the deadline,” said Alessandro Fermi, Regional Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation, “to give everyone the opportunity to submit their application. This year’s topic is particularly relevant: predictive medicine based on artificial intelligence and big data represents an extraordinary frontier, with the potential to transform diagnosis, prevention and quality of life.”

Research Projects that Improve Quality of Life

“The 2026 Award,” Fermi continued, “will be dedicated to innovations and scientific, pharmacological, technological or operational contributions that make it possible to estimate an individual’s risk of developing diseases before symptoms appear, personalise preventive interventions and optimise the allocation of healthcare resources. Once again, our goal is to support research projects capable of improving both life expectancy and quality of life, while leveraging Lombardy Region’s ability to connect expertise, infrastructure and an international outlook.”

€1 Million Award for the Winning Scientist or Team

The competition is open to active scientists of any nationality, who may apply individually or as part of a team of up to three researchers.

The total value of the Award is €1 million.

Thirty per cent of the prize will be awarded directly to the winning scientist or team, while the remaining 70 per cent will be allocated to Lombardy-based research organisations to support the implementation of a research project linked to the winning application, in line with a translational research and technology transfer approach.

Areas of Interest for the 2026 Edition

Applications should focus on significant contributions in one or more of the following areas:

• Artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive models
• Genomics, epigenomics and predictive biomarkers
• Digital health and continuous monitoring.

Applicants must demonstrate a substantial scientific track record, documented by an h-index of at least 50, and submit a dossier consisting of three sections: candidate profile, translational research project and letters of endorsement.

More Time to Develop a Translational Research Project

The extension gives prospective applicants additional time to refine their translational research project, designed to consolidate and further develop their research in collaboration with one or more public or private research organisations based in Lombardy.

The winners of previous editions of the award

Established by Lombardy Region in 2017, the “Lombardy is Research” Award also aims to strengthen the region’s research and innovation ecosystem through collaboration with the winners of the prize. Previous recipients include internationally recognised scientists such as Mark Caulfield and Douglas F. Easton, Alberto Mantovani, Steven A. Rosenberg and Carl H. June, Rosalind Picard, Pierre Joliot, Marcella Bonchio and Markus Antonietti, among others.

Visit the “Edition” section of the Award website to discover all previous winners.

International Jury Selected Through Scopus

The winner or winners will be selected by an international jury composed of 15 experts identified through the Scopus database based on the highest h-index scores within the relevant scientific fields. The winners of the 2025 edition will also join the panel as voting members.

The jury will ensure a rigorous selection process based on originality, scientific impact, innovation and the potential of the proposed research project.

For further information, and to share this opportunity with researchers who may be interested, visit the Award webpage, where you can access the application form, supporting documents and full details of the competition.

In Memory of Umberto Veronesi

The international “Lombardy is Research” Award will be presented on 10 November 2026 by the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, during Research Day, established in memory of Professor Umberto Veronesi and organised in collaboration with the Umberto Veronesi Foundation ETS.

Often referred to as the “Lombardy Nobel Prize”, the Award is recognised as one of the most prestigious honours in the international scientific community.