The Department of Medicine established the Max Cooper Award for Career Excellence in Research in honor of Max D. Cooper, M.D., to recognize outstanding research achievements by Department of Medicine investigators.
Dr. Cooper is an extraordinary example of a distinguished academic researcher. He was professor of medicine, pediatrics, microbiology, and pathology, as well as Director of the Division of Developmental and Clinical Immunology at UAB. Dr. Cooper became UAB's—and Alabama's—first Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. He was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences in 1989, making him the first scientist in Alabama to receive this honor. The Max Cooper Award is given annually to recognize researchers that have gained national recognition for important research discoveries over their scientific career.
2026 Cooper Award Timeline
Applications Due: Monday, March 9, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.
Notification of Award: April 2026
Cooper Award Submission
Submit the nominee's information at the link below. This information must include a UAB-formatted CV that contains demonstrated evidence of research accomplishments including, but not limited to:
- Important contributions to scientific advancement
- Track record of sustained research funding, which may include individual, group, programmatic, and multidisciplinary projects
- Service to national and/or international research organizations
- Substantial and meaningful mentoring of students, residents, fellows, junior faculty, and/or other trainees in research
- Direct experiences, research, and/or scholarship contributions to increasing the participation of individuals with wide-ranging perspectives and live experiences