
PGYI Award
Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award
Due to the cancellation of SunposiumTM 2021, the Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award nomination period has been postponed. Please join our mailing list to be notified when this and other MPFI events are rescheduled.
The Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award is given biennially to recognize a young neuroscience investigator for significant contributions to the scientific community through collaboration, creativity, and curiosity-driven research. In addition to recognizing outstanding achievements, it also serves to support research, inspire young scientists, promote collaboration, and acknowledge the outstanding legacy that Dr. Peter Gruss built throughout his honorable career at the Max Planck Society.
The Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award is sponsored by Ms. Raquel Rodriguez, a lawyer and the Managing Member of the Miami office of the law firm McDonald Hopkins LLC. Ms. Rodriguez, is a long-time supporter of MPFI’s work and the life science industry, and supports the award in honor of Dr. Peter Gruss’s legacy.
Eligibility
Actively engaged in neuroscience research at the time the award is given.
Show evidence of heading an independent research laboratory.
Received a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent within the past 10 years. Time taken off for child-rearing does not count in these totals. Other special circumstances may be evaluated at the discretion of the selection committee.
Post-docs are ineligible.
Current Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience scientists are ineligible for nomination.
Nomination Criteria
- Self-nomination is not permitted.
- No person may nominate more than one candidate.
- Members of the selection committee cannot serve as nominators nor write letters of recommendation for this prize.
Nomination Materials
Include the following materials in the application package:
- Nomination letter (a single nomination letter per candidate is preferred)
- Current CV (include date on which the advanced degree was awarded)
- A list of up to five of the nominee’s most important published papers
All nomination materials should be uploaded in PDF format.
Additional reference letters will be requested to top 5 candidates.
Selection Committee
David Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.
CEO and Scientific Director
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Jupiter, Florida, USA
Bill Hansson, Ph.D.
Vice President
Max Planck Society
Munich, Germany
Ryohei Yasuda, Ph.D.
Scientific Director
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
Jupiter, Florida, USA
Contact
Previous Years

Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award 2018
MPFI named Gloria Choi, Ph.D., as the second biennial 2018 Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award winner...
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Inaugural Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award
MPFI announces Viviana Gradinaru, Ph.D., as the inaugural Peter Gruss Young Investigator Award recipient...
Read more