Second Annual $1 Million Stephenson Global Prize Now Open for Nominations

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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 11, 2026--

The Stephenson Global Prize, a $1 million award for innovation in pancreatic cancer research, has opened its second call for nominations. Awarded annually, the Prize recognizes visionary scientific leaders whose work is fundamentally changing the trajectory of pancreatic cancer research. Nominations are now open through May 1, 2026.

The Stephenson Global Prize is part of a philanthropic program launched by A. Emmet Stephenson Jr., and Tessa Stephenson Brand. Their $150 million gift also supports the Stephenson Global Scholar Grants and the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Symposium, sponsored annually in partnership with City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States. The Stephenson Global Prize winner will be announced and presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Conference on Pancreatic Cancer, September 25-28, 2026, in San Diego.

“We established the Stephenson Global Prize to recognize individuals whose leadership and scientific contributions have had a major impact on pancreatic cancer research and patient outcomes, highlighting achievements that accelerate discovery and real-world clinical impact,” said Emmet Stephenson, Co-Founder of the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute.

“This Prize shines a global spotlight on visionary leaders, inspiring them to do more and motivating others to pursue fresh discoveries that bring us closer to a future where pancreatic cancer is no longer a fatal disease,” said Tessa Stephenson Brand, Co-Founder of SGPCRI. “We could not be more thrilled to honor Dr. Frank McCormick as our inaugural Stephenson Global Prize Laureate. His work reflects the transformative and visionary impact this Prize was designed to recognize.”

In its inaugural year, Frank McCormick, PhD was named the first Stephenson Global Prize Laureate in recognition of his foundational work on KRAS, a gene long considered undruggable, and for his leadership of the National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative. Over several decades, Dr. McCormick’s discoveries reshaped the understanding of RAS-driven cancers and laid the scientific groundwork for a new generation of targeted therapies that are now influencing treatment strategies across multiple tumor types, including pancreatic cancer.

The Stephenson Global Prize has provided renewed momentum and focus to Dr. McCormick’s life’s work, particularly his efforts to move beyond treatment and toward true prevention. With sustained investment and collaborative support enabled by the Prize, Dr. McCormick is advancing research aimed at developing a preventive therapeutic approach that could one day stop pancreatic cancer before it begins. This work represents a shift from managing advanced disease to intervening earlier in the cancer process, with the potential to dramatically reduce incidence and mortality.

Reflecting on the significance of the Prize, Dr. McCormick said, “The Stephenson Global Prize represents a powerful commitment to advancing the science that will finally make pancreatic cancer a treatable disease or prevent it altogether. This level of investment is reinvigorating and catalyzing collaborative research that bridges discovery and patient impact. This initiative sends a clear message to the scientific community: now is the time to think big, take smart risks, and move faster for patients.”

“We are so pleased that AACR Past President, Dr. McCormick, was honored with the inaugural Stephenson Global Prize as it underscores the critical importance of investing in visionary science. His leadership and pioneering work on RAS have fundamentally reshaped cancer research and opened new possibilities for conquering pancreatic cancer,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), Chief Executive Officer of the AACR. “The Stephenson Global Prize recognizes a lifetime of discovery while energizing the next phase of progress, including efforts that could ultimately move the field toward prevention. We are deeply inspired by the Stephensons’ extraordinary commitment, which has created a powerful platform for innovation through SGPCRI. AACR is proud to work alongside the leaders of this exciting initiative to accelerate the science that patients and families urgently need.”

The 2026 Stephenson Global Prize Laureate will be honored during a dedicated Prize Ceremony at the AACR Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research Special Conference, to be held September 25–28, 2026, in San Diego, California. This meeting will bring together leaders from academia, medicine, industry, and advocacy from around the world to recognize scientific achievement and highlight advances shaping the future of pancreatic cancer research.

“As we open this year’s call for nominations, we hope to see the full breadth of leadership and discovery that defines this pivotal moment for the field,” said Jennifer Chun Kim, Executive Director of the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute. “We are witnessing major breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer research, and this Prize spotlights the scientists whose work is transforming decades of perseverance into tangible hope and lasting impact for patients and families worldwide.”

The global scientific community is invited to submit nominations for individuals whose work demonstrates innovation, impact, and leadership in pancreatic cancer research.

For nomination guidelines and submission details, please visit: SGPCRI.global.

About the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute

The Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute (SGPCRI) is dedicated to transforming the future of pancreatic cancer research through groundbreaking innovation, global collaboration and strategic funding initiatives. Established through a transformative $150 million gift from philanthropists A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. and Tessa Stephenson Brand, SGPCRI is committed to advancing early detection, pioneering treatments and high-impact research to improve patient outcomes. Working with leading scientists, clinicians and institutions worldwide, SGPCRI fosters collaboration to accelerate breakthroughs in the fight against one of the world’s most challenging cancers. For more information, visit us on our website or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

About the American Association for Cancer Research

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure all cancers. AACR’s membership includes more than 62,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 143 countries and territories around the world. Presently, 34% of members live outside the United States, and 20% of AACR’s international members are located in countries building cancer research capacity. AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting. AACR publishes 10 high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals. Other AACR publications include Cancer Today, a magazine for cancer patients and caregivers; the annual AACR Cancer Progress Report; AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report; AACR Annual Impact Report; Leading Discoveries, the AACR’s awareness and donor magazine; and the blog, Cancer Research Catalyst. In addition, AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, AACR provides expert peer review, research grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual investigator grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. AACR actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related sciences in saving lives from cancer. For more information about AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

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PUB: 02/11/2026 09:00 AM/DISC: 02/11/2026 09:03 AM

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