The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has announced the launch of the 2026 EANM Young Scientist Network Award, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to accelerating innovative research in the field of alpha radioligand therapy (α-RLT) for prostate cancer. This prestigious award, generously supported by Advanced Accelerator Applications, a Novartis company, aims to fuel the ambitions of early-career researchers who are poised to transform the landscape of prostate cancer treatment through precision oncology. By fostering novel research and providing structured mentorship and collaborative opportunities, the award seeks to propel α-RLT into new realms of clinical application and effectiveness.
Alpha radioligand therapy represents a cutting-edge frontier in oncology, leveraging the potent cytotoxic properties of alpha-emitting isotopes to selectively target and eliminate cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This precision-oriented treatment modality holds particular promise for prostate cancer, a disease with a complex clinical progression and significant heterogeneity among patient responses. Researchers involved in early phases of their careers—including PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, and clinicians in training—are invited to submit proposals that articulate innovative strategies to optimize and personalize α-RLT applications, thereby enhancing its therapeutic index and patient-specific outcomes.
The call for submissions is explicitly aimed at individuals within ten years of completing their terminal academic degree, ensuring that the award nurtures emerging scientists who are at critical junctures in their scientific trajectories. Eligible candidates must hail from institutions located in countries that are members of the EANM, spanning a broad geographical spectrum across Europe and affiliated regions. Advanced project proposals are expected to focus on clinically meaningful improvements in α-RLT, ranging from mechanistic insights and biomarker identification to novel dosimetry techniques and adaptive treatment protocols that adjust to patient-specific tumor biology.
Winners of the award will be recognized in three distinct categories—Platinum, Gold, and Silver—with respective financial prizes of 40,000, 20,000, and 10,000 euros. This tiered incentive structure not only celebrates outstanding scientific merit but also ensures meaningful support to facilitate continued research and professional development. The prestige associated with the EANM Young Scientist Network Award is further amplified by the winners’ opportunity to present their work during a dedicated session at the upcoming EANM’26 Congress, a major scientific gathering known for convening global leaders in nuclear medicine.
The EANM’26 Congress, scheduled to take place from October 17 to 21, 2026, at the Austria Center Vienna, will provide a vibrant platform for winners to disseminate their groundbreaking ideas to an international audience of clinicians, physicists, radiochemists, and allied professionals. Beyond public presentations, awardees will benefit from interactive workshops led by the scientific review committee, fostering an environment of critical feedback and project refinement. This collaborative setting is designed to enhance the scientific rigor and translational potential of the winning research proposals, ensuring they contribute to real-world improvements in prostate cancer management.
Alpha radioligand therapy’s mechanistic foundation lies in the unique physical properties of alpha particles—highly energetic helium nuclei capable of inducing double-strand DNA breaks within tumor cells. These alpha-emitting isotopes are conjugated to ligands that bind selectively to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and other relevant biomarkers overexpressed on prostate cancer cells, enabling a targeted delivery system that minimizes systemic toxicity. The therapeutic window of α-RLT surpasses that of beta-emitting radiotherapies due to the limited range of alpha particles, allowing precise eradication of malignant cells while sparing adjacent healthy tissue.
Current research challenges in α-RLT revolve around optimizing dosing schedules, improving isotope production and labeling techniques, and identifying patient cohorts who are most likely to benefit based on molecular profiling and imaging biomarkers. Studies also aim to unravel resistance mechanisms and potential combination strategies with immunotherapies or hormone therapies. The EANM’s initiative to prioritize such themes in awarded projects reflects a forward-thinking approach that aligns with the broader goals of precision medicine, where treatments are tailored not only to cancer type but to the unique biological characteristics of each patient’s tumor.
The decision to sponsor this award evidences Novartis’ and Advanced Accelerator Applications’ commitment to fostering innovation in nuclear medicine, cementing the role of industry partnerships in advancing the clinical impact of radioligand therapies. As prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide, the imperative for effective, well-tolerated treatment modalities has never been greater. By catalyzing research efforts at the intersection of nuclear physics, radiochemistry, and oncology, the EANM Young Scientist Network Award encourages a multidisciplinary perspective critical for overcoming the clinical challenges inherent in α-RLT.
Applications for the award must be submitted by 23:59 Central European Summer Time on May 18, 2026, via the designated contact email ysn@eanm.org. Full eligibility criteria, guidelines for submission, and evaluation metrics are accessible through the official EANM website, encouraging transparency and fostering a competitive yet supportive environment for young investigators. This structured approach aims not only to identify the best scientific proposals but also to facilitate knowledge exchange that can accelerate the translation of research into clinical practice.
The European Association of Nuclear Medicine, as the organizing body, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating scientific dialogue and dissemination in nuclear medicine across Europe and internationally. With a history of over 40 national societies and multiple affiliated organizations collaborating under its umbrella, EANM provides a unique and powerful forum for professionals to share innovations, standards, and emerging treatment paradigms. The annual congress attracts upwards of 9,400 experts globally, highlighting the central position of nuclear medicine in the wider oncology treatment landscape.
In recent years, the expansion of EANM’s portfolio to include open-access, peer-reviewed journals published by Elsevier has further enhanced the accessibility and impact of nuclear medicine research. These online-only publications offer a high-visibility channel for emerging data on α-RLT and related nuclear medicine technologies, contributing to rapid dissemination and uptake in clinical settings. The integration of research, education, and clinical practice embodied by the EANM underscores the critical importance of nurturing the next generation of scientists through initiatives like the Young Scientist Network Award, ensuring continued momentum in the fight against prostate cancer.
In conclusion, the 2026 EANM Young Scientist Network Award marks a significant investment in the future of alpha radioligand therapy for prostate cancer. By empowering fledgling researchers with financial resources, mentorship, and an international stage, EANM and its partners are poised to accelerate scientific breakthroughs that could revolutionize patient care. As this award catalyzes novel research avenues and augments collaborative networks, it promises to translate the promise of α-RLT from experimental therapy to standard-of-care reality within the coming years.
Subject of Research: Alpha radioligand therapy in prostate cancer
Article Title: EANM Launches Prestigious Award to Catalyze Innovation in Alpha Radioligand Therapy for Prostate Cancer
News Publication Date: February 23, 2026
Web References:
- https://eanm.org/congress-scientific-events/congress-awards/eanm-young-scientist-network-award/
- https://eanm.org/congress-scientific-events/eanm26/
- https://eanm.org/
- https://eanm.org/publications/eanm-journals/
Keywords
Health and medicine, Cancer, Prostate tumors, Prostate cancer, Oncology, Radioisotopes, Isotopes, Physics, Radioactivity, Atoms, Pharmaceuticals
