PLOS' ASAP Program Recognizes Pioneers Who Have Used Open Access Research To Benefit Society

PLOS, the Public Library of Science, today is launching the Accelerating Science Award Program (ASAP) that recognizes the use of scientific research, published through Open Access, which has led to innovations in any field that benefit society. Major sponsors include the Wellcome Trust and Google.

The ASAP Program recognizes individuals who have used, applied or remixed scientific research to innovate and make a difference in science, medicine, business, technology or society as a whole. Potential nominees include individuals, teams or groups of collaborators such as scientists, researchers, educators, technology leaders, entrepreneurs, policy makers, patient advocates, public health workers, and students. There are three top awards of $30,000 each.

The ASAP Program will illuminate how the unrestricted exchange of information can advance science and medicine, and benefit society. It also aspires to encourage a new generation of individuals to embrace the use and application of scientific research published through Open Access-.

"PLOS is delighted to collaborate with two dozen global organizations to highlight the impact that Open Access research has on science, medicine and society," said Gary Ward, Chairman of the Board, PLOS. "We know there are countless examples of individuals who have used Open Access research to accelerate science but these stories often go untold. Through this program, we hope to bring them to the forefront."

The ASAP Program will be judged by an international committee composed of distinguished leaders in multiple fields, including:

• Agnes Binagwaho, M.D., Minister of Health, Rwanda and faculty member in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School
• Helga Nowotny, President of the European Research Council (ERC) and Professor emeritus of Social Studies of Science, ETH Zurich
• Tim O'Reilly, Founder and CEO, O'Reilly Media
• Hans Rosling, M.D., Professor of International Health at Karolinska Institute and co-founder and chairman of the Gapminder
• Harold Varmus, M.D., Co-recipient of a Nobel Prize for studies of the genetic basis of cancer and the current Director of the National Cancer Institute

"The Wellcome Trust is proud to sponsor the ASAP Program, and in doing so, recognize those who have maximized the impact of scientific research published through Open Access," said Robert Kiley, Head of Digital Services at the Wellcome Trust. "We are eager to see real case studies that showcase the unique value of Open Access and, through these stories, inspire greater support for Open Access."

Three top awards of $30,000 each will be presented. The nomination period is open from May 1 to June 15, 2013. Winners will be announced in Washington, DC in October 2013, at an Open Access Week kickoff event hosted by SPARC and the World Bank.