Emerging Leader in the Advancement of Scientific Knowledge Award

All applicants must be currently enrolled in full (or near full)-time study for a formal academic qualification (e.g. degree, PhD), or be no more than 5 years from the commencement of their first postdoctoral or industrial position. Underrepresented minorities are highly encouraged to apply for this prestigious opportunity.

To be considered, applicants will submit the following:

• Detailed proposal which includes your topic, abstract (300 words or less), session objectives (questions that you aim to address during the duration of the session), as well as any supplemental materials or case studies that will guide the session. Please include a description of the proposed session format, and any additional contributors that can enhance the content.
• Statement of interest (300 words or less) which discusses your interest in the attending WCBP 2025, working with the Scientific Organizing Committee, and how this award will enhance your academic and/or professional path.
• Brief biography
• Letter of recommendation from an academic advisor or supervisor
• Detailed CV or résumé, to include any previous experience presenting at a scientific conference

Developing your proposal: 

The theme of WCBP 2025 is “Transformative Solutions”, which is a concept rooted in the idea of “alchemy” where ordinary things are transformed into something extraordinary. When developing your proposal, consider focusing on content that seek to address the following questions:

• ID and Dissolve Barriers: What are our critical barriers to overcome?
• Creative Solutions: What are the most inventive and diverse solutions to sustainably meet the needs of patients
• Community Legacy & Impact: How do we maximize the use of our community to amplify our global impact?  

Suggested topics can include, but are not limited to, any of the following:     

• Global implementation of new technologies and changes, different perspectives
• Patient-centric specifications
• Analytical platform methods/ICHQ2R2 implementation
• Device/combination product challenges
• Microbiological considerations: LER, refiltration for biologics, inspections, IRs
• Breakthrough technologies for comparability and characterization
• Cutting edge science: feature novel creative analytical solutions
• Prior knowledge to support clinical and marketing authorization submissions and case studies
• Digital solutions (data management, modeling, submissions, etc)
• Conjugated Products - beyond ADCs
• Raw materials, supply chain, and sustainability
• Scaling to a rapidly expanding drug demand forecast with the current global manufacturing capacity constraints
• Mutual recognition agreement
• Small startup/virtual company problems: challenges that are unique to small companies/academic

Awardees will be given the opportunity to work side-by-side with industry, regulatory and academic leaders to craft the content that is integral to the success of the 2025 WCBP Symposium.

In addition, the award recipients will receive the following:

• An opportunity to present your work in either a virtual poster format with an accompanying video presentation, or as part of a 60-minute session featured during the WCBP Symposium.
• Waived full-conference registration for the CMC Strategy Forum North America (CMC) and WCBP 2025.
• Complimentary airfare (up to $700.00) to Washington D.C. for the CMC Fora and WCBP Symposium.
• Complimentary hotel accommodations (5 nights) at the Mayflower Hotel.
• The ability to join the WCBP Scientific Organizing Committee for the 2025 planning cycle, and the option to remain on the committee for the WCBP 2026 planning cycle.
• While on-site at CMC and WCBP:
  • Full conference experience, including the opportunity to attend the leadership and planning meetings that occur throughout the week.
  • Special recognition during the Symposium closing remarks.
  • Registration includes breakfast, coffee breaks, Welcome and Exhibitor Receptions.

Applicants will be selected based on the strength of the proposal's scientific content, alignment with the overall goals of the Symposium, as well as creativity when outlining the proposed session format. 

No applications are currently open. Check back to see when the next Symposium is accepting applications or email info@casss.org for more details.