Apply now to present your research through a high-quality graphical abstract and compete for the USCA 2026.
Dear colleagues,
we invite you to participate in the UCCSH Science Communication Award (USCA) 2026.
The award recognizes clear and structured visual communication of oncology-related research projects.
The prize amount this year is €300.
Here is everything you need to know
What are the criteria for participation?
Position
We welcome applications from researchers of all career levels, starting from B.Sc.
Please note that professors with a structure-forming professorship1 are excluded.
Topic in Oncology
The graphical abstract must be oncology-related and adress at least one of the main UCCSH research programs or should be from the field of oncology health care research (HCR).
#1 Metastasis & Dissemination
#2 Biomarkers & Minimal Residual Disease
#3 Immunotherapy & Tumor Immunology
#4 Inflammation & Cancer
#5 Precision Oncology & Treatment Resistance
Health Care Research (HCR)
1 i.e. full professor heading a section/institute/department.
What to hand-in and how to submit your work?
Graphical Abstract
(clear, concise, audience-appropriate) as a single high-resolution (300 dpi or greater, not compressed) image file: .tif, .jpg, or .png
Topic in Oncology or HCR
#1 Biomarkers & Minimal Residual Disease
#2 Metastasis & Dissemination*
#3 Inflammation & Cancer
#4 Immunotherapy & Tumor Immunology
#5 Precision Oncology & Treatment Resistance
Health Care Research in Oncology
Caption
Add a separate caption that does not exceed 30 words.
Structured accompanying text
(this will be included in the evaluation of the graphical abstract):
350 words max.
Introduction/Background (incl. information on how the project is recently funded), Methods, Results/State, Conclusion & Outlook
Please copy/paste this into the submission email and include the relevant following information:
Name:
Career level (B.Sc, M.Sc., MD, PhD student, Ph.D, Dr.):
Affiliation:
Caption:
Topic in oncology: indicate # of main research program or HCR
Category: choose either 1. Scientific community or 2. Public
Statement: “I hereby confirm that my supervisor is informed about my participation and agrees. Please note: By participating, I agree that my graphical abstract may be used for the following purposes: Publication on the UKSH, UzL and CAU websites, on social media platforms and print publications. I do not receive any payment for the publication. I can withdraw or restrict my consent to the publication. Otherwise the consent is valid indefinitely.”
AI Usage:
The use of AI tools is permitted. Submissions must demonstrate independent conceptual and design work.
If AI tools are used, please provide:
Tools and software used (e.g. name of AI tool and additional programs)
Contribute a statement (150–300 words, in English) how the AI tool was used and how you refined your results
Note:
Submission of full prompts is not required!
Submissions that rely primarily on unmodified AI-generated outputs will not be considered competitive!
What's the timeline?
Announcement
April 21st, 2026
Deadline
June 28th, 2026
Award Ceremony
August 21st, 2026 – winners will be invited to present their projects at the 5th UCCSH Research Retreat in the Vitalia Hotel Bad Segeberg.
What are the criteria for evaluation?
1. Scientific Community:
Clear research question, methods, and key findings
Accurate and logically structured presentation
Concise yet sufficiently detailed
Visually coherent and well-designed
Accompanying text in English
2. Public:
Accessible and easy to understand (minimal jargon, language)
Relevance: Why does this research matter?
Clear big picture communication
Engaging and visually appealing
Accompanying text in English & German
More questions? No problem!
Mail to science.uccsh@uksh.de
*Please be aware that prize money is regarded as income in accordance with § 22 No. 3 EStG. Non-UKSH employees are therefore obliged to declare and pay tax on the income from this contract to the relevant tax office. For UKSH employees the prize money will be paid out as part of the salary and will be taxed automatically. The UKSH is obliged to cooperate in accordance with §§ 90, 93, 97 AO and must provide the tax office with comprehensive information, including personal data. This does not apply to information that is subject to medical confidentiality.