The TNQ ISA aims to recognise and reward quality science, inspire scholarship, and encourage researchers to make their lives in basic life science research. Each year we reward creative, rigorous, and impactful life science research.

The inaugural winner of TNQ ISA was announced in January 2017, at The TNQ Distinguished Lectures in the Life Sciences, in Bengaluru. Dr Emilie Marcus, ex-CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Cell Press, said, ​“Building on the successful tradition of the lectureship in inspiring students to pursue their passion with careers in scientific research, we are creating TNQ Inspiring Science Awards in association with the lectures. The idea for this award was brought forth to us by Professor Anuranjan Anand of JNCASR, and we would like to express our thanks and appreciation to him for helping extend the impact of the lecture series in promoting young Indian scientists.”

• The TNQ ISA 2026 is only for research papers published in the Life Sciences.
• These awards are open to life scientists who are registered for a PhD, or recent PhD graduates, or postdoctoral fellows within 4 years of their postdoctoral programme.
• The research paper being submitted must have been first published online or in print between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025.
• The paper should have already been accepted and published in a peer-reviewed journal either as an accepted manuscript publication or a corrected proof publication.
• Only peer-reviewed, full-length, published research papers are eligible for submission. Other article types such as Editorials, Reviews, Opinions, Perspectives, etc. are not eligible. Preprints are also not eligible.
• The applicant must have been affiliated with a research institution or university, based in India, where the research must have been conducted.
• Papers with co-authors (Indian or international) are also eligible for consideration. However, the awards are given only to the submitting author.
• The paper must be uploaded as a PDF with the entry, supported by a proof of publication link. Entries submitted as links to sites that are behind paywalls or firewalls are not acceptable.

The TNQ ISA jury comprises nearly 40 eminent scientists from across the country, organised in four geographic panels to avoid conflict of interest. Every paper is evaluated by a minimum of three jury members. The top two papers from each panel are finally re-evaluated by the panel chairs, and two internationally renowned scientists who are independent of the jury process. One winner is selected from the re-evaluation process. Information about the jury is kept confidential.

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