The Salk Medal is awarded to recipients who have made significant leadership contributions to world health in a manner that is consistent with our founder Jonas Salk’s humanitarian ethos and accomplishments. The award is presented every 5 years and was first conferred in 2005 to honor the 50th anniversary of Jonas Salk’s development of the polio vaccine. Salk Medals are awarded solely at the discretion of the Institute’s Board of Trustees upon recommendation by the faculty Awards Committee. Salk Medals can be awarded in one of two categories:

• The Salk Institute Medal for Research Excellence recognizes significant contributions in the area of basic scientific research with particular impact on science policy, humanities, the Institute or human health.
• The Salk Institute Medal for Public Service, originally the Salk Medal for Health and Humanity, recognizes contributions to science, medicine, public health or public health policy through business, government or philanthropy.

The medal itself was designed for the Institute by French fashion designer and businesswoman Paloma Picasso. Known for her dramatic jewelry creations, Picasso is the youngest daughter of Pablo Picasso and painter/writer Françoise Gilot, who later married Jonas Salk. The medals are fabricated by Tiffany & Co.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Salk Institute Medal for Research Excellence. You are invited to use the form below to submit your nomination for an individual you consider highly worthy to receive this honor. The deadline for nominations is October 31, 2019. The recipient will be announced by the end of 2019.