Apply or Submit a Nomination for the John Dystel Prize for MS Research 

Deadline October 21, 2025

The John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research is sponsored jointly by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). The prize recognizes outstanding contributions to research that have led to breakthroughs in the understanding, prevention, treatment, or cure of MS - the significant and exciting work that has changed the way we think about MS. Recent and ongoing active research is a major consideration; the Dystel Prize is not meant to be a lifetime achievement award.

This award accepts both self-applicants and nominations. The deadline for applications/nominations is October 21, 2025.

Read more about the application/nomination process, eligibility, and judging criteria on the AAN website.

The recipient is expected is expected to present a 20-minute lecture during a scientific session at the 2026 AAN Annual Meeting and will receive:

$40,000 prize to be used at the recipient's discretion
Complimentary registration for the 2026 AAN Annual Meeting
Reimbursement for AAN Annual Meeting travel, meals, and housing

The award is made possible through a special contribution from the John Dystel Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund at the National MS Society. The late Society National Board member Oscar Dystel and his late wife Marion established this fund in 1994 in honor of their son John Jay, an attorney whose promising career was cut short by progressive disability from MS. John died of complications of the disease in June 2003.