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SLAS Innovation Awards

Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening

Finally, SLAS’s largest award, the $10,000 Innovation Award, was presented to Steven Finkbeiner, PhD, of Gladstone and the University of California, San Francisco (USA). His podium presentation, “Development and Application of AI-powered Label-free Imaging for Assays and Screening,” was part of the conference’s Assay Development and Screening track.

The award’s judges noted that Finkbeiner’s presentation brought together the nexus of AI, vision, and autonomy and advanced researchers’ understanding and intervention of complex biology, not only in neurodegenerative diseases, but broadly across other areas of cellular analysis and screening.

The winner of the $10,000 cash prize will be announced on the final day of SLAS2027, immediately preceding the final keynote session. The following rules apply:

The candidate presentation author, co-author or representative must be present to accept the award at the final plenary session. If a representative is not present the SLAS Innovation Award will be forfeited.
The $10,000 cash prize is awarded solely to the winning presenting author and will be sent to the winner upon receipt of their manuscript, see Rules and Regulations #4 above.
Once selected, the SLAS Innovation Award finalists must sign the SLAS Letter of Intent recognizing sole responsibility for the cash award and releasing SLAS of liability, taxes, candidate employer policies and any other obligations.
In recognition of the varying employer policies governing employee acceptance of monetary prizes, those employer policies will be recognized and honored by SLAS to the extent they are not inconsistent with and do not conflict with SLAS policy and/or GAAP. However, SLAS will not be responsible or liable for said policies. Winners have the option to decline the monetary award.
The monetary award is not to be considered an obligation of SLAS.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong alignment with SLAS research priorities (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is the most important criterion.

Competitive proposals should focus on areas such as:

Laboratory automation
High-throughput screening (HTS)
Quantitative biosciences
Drug discovery
Laboratory technologies
Robotics and automation
Bioassay development
Laboratory instrumentation
AI and machine learning for laboratory science

Projects should clearly align with the objectives of the selected SLAS funding program.

2. High scientific and technical merit (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive applications demonstrate:

Strong scientific rationale
Original research questions
Rigorous methodology
Appropriate experimental design
High technical quality

SLAS supports research that advances laboratory science and technology.

3. Innovation in laboratory technologies (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Innovation is a defining characteristic of SLAS programs.

Competitive projects often involve:

Automated laboratory workflows
Robotics
Novel screening technologies
Artificial intelligence
Digital laboratories
Microfluidics
High-content imaging
Next-generation assay platforms

The SLAS Innovation Award specifically recognizes groundbreaking advances in laboratory automation and screening technologies.

4. Strong graduate student and early-career development (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The SLAS Graduate Education Fellowship Grant is specifically intended to support outstanding graduate students.

Competitive applications demonstrate:

Strong academic performance
Research potential
Commitment to laboratory science
Career development in life sciences R&D

Educational institutions apply on behalf of eligible graduate students.

5. Potential to advance laboratory science and drug discovery (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Successful projects should demonstrate potential to:

Improve laboratory efficiency
Accelerate drug discovery
Enhance screening technologies
Increase reproducibility
Improve research productivity
Advance life sciences research

Projects with broad impact across laboratory science are particularly competitive.

6. Strong mentorship and institutional support (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Reviewers consider:

Principal Investigator or mentor expertise
Institutional research environment
Laboratory resources
Graduate training environment

Applications for Graduate Education Fellowships are submitted by the educational institution on behalf of the student, emphasizing institutional commitment and mentorship.

7. Clear research outputs and dissemination plan (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive proposals describe plans to:

Publish original research
Submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals
Present findings at international scientific conferences
Share results with the laboratory automation community

Graduate Fellowship recipients are expected to produce publishable research and present it at an international scientific meeting.

8. Feasible research plan and realistic budget (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive applications include:

Realistic timelines
Appropriate project scope
Clearly justified budget
Efficient use of grant funds
Feasible milestones

For the Graduate Fellowship, grant funds are primarily intended to support the student's stipend and research-related educational expenses.

9. Compliance with eligibility and program requirements (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Successful applications must:

Be submitted by an eligible educational institution
Support graduate research in qualifying fields
Meet all application requirements
Follow budget and reporting guidelines
Comply with submission deadlines

Applications that do not satisfy eligibility or documentation requirements may not proceed to review.

10. Contribution to the SLAS mission and scientific community (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive projects should contribute to:

Advancement of laboratory automation
Scientific collaboration
Technology innovation
Education and workforce development
Growth of the life sciences community

Projects that strengthen the broader laboratory science ecosystem align well with the SLAS mission.

Specialties

Molecular Biology

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates are encouraged to be Premier Members of SLAS to participate in the award program and/or win the SLAS Innovation Award; however, membership is not required.

All finalists are invited to submit a previously unpublished scientific manuscript (original research or a related review paper) for peer-reviewed publication in SLAS Discovery or SLAS Technology. This manuscript must be received before the $10,000 cash award is disbursed. These requirements will be outlined in the Letter of Intent, allowing SLAS to use the abstracts for press releases and other media announcements.

The panel of judges will review only those podium presentations selected and slotted for the conference by the SLAS2027 Program Committee (not short courses, posters or plenary presentations). All candidates must adhere to the SLAS abstract submission policies, timelines, rules and regulations*1.

The following individuals are not eligible to participate in the SLAS Innovation Award program:

SLAS Board of Directors
SLAS Awards and Grants Advisory Committee officers
the Annual Conference Program Committee*
contractors
employees
members of the Judging Panel
family members
and/or those considered to be "insiders."

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1301 West 22nd Street, Suite 708, Oak Brook, IL 60523

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