The American Porphyrias Expert Collaborative (APEX) is pleased to announce the 2025 International Human Heme Biosynthesis and Porphyrias Research Prize, a prestigious opportunity to advance research in the fields of human heme biosynthesis and the porphyrias.

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This $250,000 research prize is designed to foster innovation and discovery, with a special focus on supporting early-career investigators. We invite applications from young researchers worldwide who are pursuing groundbreaking basic, translational, preclinical, or clinical research in these fields.

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Key Details:

• Eligibility: Early-career independent researchers (within 10 years of terminal degree or 8 years of fellowship completion) employed full-time by academic or nonprofit institutions.

• Research Focus Areas: Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to: Characterization of the regulation and expression of mammalian/human ALAS; Regulation of the heme biosynthetic pathway in the brain and other organs; Identification and characterization of the hepatic “free heme pool”; Mechanism for the movement of heme from mitochondria to the cytosol; Modifying genes that protect or predispose to acute porphyria attacks; Pathogenic mechanisms triggering acute porphyria attacks; Mechanism of ALAS1 expression in patients that are "chronic high excreters”; Factors modulating the clinical severity of the acute and/or erythropoietic porphyrias; Translational development of novel treatments and/or cures for the porphyrias; Other research related to human heme biosynthesis and porphyria pathogenesis.

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Important Dates:

• Initial Applications Due: February 15, 2025

• Invitations for Final Applications: April 1, 2025

• Full Applications Due: July 1, 2025

• Prize Recipient Announcement: October 12, 2025, at the International Porphyrias Symposium

 

For full details on the eligibility criteria, application process, and research focus areas, please review the Application Procedure.

 

Application Process:

1. Step One: Submit a 3–5-page project description with pertinent references, budget, and preliminary data.

2. Step Two: Selected applicants will be invited to submit a modified NIH R01-style full application.

 

For any questions, please contact us at info@porphyria.org.
 

We encourage you to share this opportunity with eligible colleagues and look forward to receiving your innovative proposals.