Student / Postdoc Awards and Travel Grants
The Cytokine Society offers several awards and travel grants to support student and postdoctoral researchers attending the annual Cytokines conference. Awards are merit-based, determined by abstract scores. The travel grants help offset travel expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
All awards and travel grants require:
- Current membership in The Cytokine Society
- Student or postdoctoral status
- Abstract submission with travel award consideration box checked
- Limit of one award per research group
Available Awards
Top scoring abstracts will be selected for the following awards:
The Orion Awards: Recognizing exploration of new areas of cytokine biology research. (New in 2026)
Endowed by a generous anonymous donor, there will be 2 or more awards of $2,500 each annually.
Pfizer Trainee Awards for Most Promising Research Presentations
4 awards of $1,250 each
Sponsored by Pfizer, these awards honor outstanding research presentations by trainees.
Robert Blackburn Travel Grant (New in 2026)
Established through a donation from Mr. Robert Blackburn, this grant supports one grant of $1,000.
Joan Oefner Travel Grant (Established 2025)
This award, named for the Society’s long-time managing director who retired in 2024, honors one of the highest-scoring abstracts presented at the annual meeting. The amount is equal to the general travel grants but carries the prestige of a named award.
General ICIS Student/Postdoc Travel Grants
Multiple grants (amount and quantity vary annually)
Additional travel awards are distributed to remaining eligible applicants in order of abstract score until available funding is exhausted.
How to Apply
When submitting your abstract for the Cytokines annual meeting, select the option to be considered for travel awards. No separate application is required.
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Questions? Contact the Cytokine Society Managing Director
