Rewarding Excellence, Encouraging Leadership... » Bioethics 

Guidelines and Form

En Español

Through 18 July 2008, the Foundation invites official representatives of scholarly institutions to nominate a scholar in bioethics residing in Latin America or the Caribbean. At the time of the award, the scholar should be 40 years or less in age, and have a doctoral degree or its equivalent (i.e., scholarly publications related to bioethics) and actively contributing to the field of bioethics. The nomination should be based on a sound proposal in the field of bioethics prepared by the candidate. Particular emphasis in the selection process will be placed on the potential developments that may stem from the proposed work, which is expected to enhance the capacity of the candidate to progress in the field and lead to a demonstrable output. Both empirical and theoretical work can be accepted.

The winning scholar is expected to submit a six-month status report and a final report no later than 1 October 2008, upon completion of the Velasco-Suárez Award project. Any publication resulting from the supported research must include a disclaimer statement. This final report may be used to promote the field of bioethics in Latin America and the Caribbean.

To be considered, the nomination must be completed in its entirety.

The nomination package application must include a letter of introduction (no longer than one page) addressed to the Manuel Velasco-Suárez Award Jury and signed by the official representative, a completed nomination form and a proposal (no longer than 10 pages) by the candidate describing the activities that will be undertaken during the one-year award period and the relevance of these activities to the field of bioethics in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The letter must be on the institution's letterhead. The letter and completed nomination form must be signed and in English or Spanish. If the nomination package is submitted electronically, the letter and nomination form must have an electronic signature. Any unsigned and incomplete documents will not be considered.

Staff members in active service of PAHO, WHO and other UN agencies or the Secretary of Health in Mexico; current official representatives to PAHO's governing bodies (i.e., Ministers of Health), sitting members of the Foundation's board of trustees, and members of the Velasquez-Suárez Award Jury are ineligible to receive the award.

Submitted items other than the letter, completed and signed nomination form, check list, and proposal will not be considered by the jury. Nominations must be received no later than 18 July 2008. Nominations received after this date will not be accepted. We suggest sending the nomination at least 3 weeks before the deadline.

PAHEF reserves the right to publish the winners’ speech, such as post it on the foundation’s website, and to quote from it in all communications, e.g., press releases.

Please submit the completed nomination form, the letter, and the provided check list to:

Manuel Velasco-Suárez Award Jury
Pan American Health and Education Foundation
525 23rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20037

Phone: 202-974-3416
Fax: 202-974-3636
e-mail:

    Download the 2008 Nomination Form

    Download the 2008 Nomination Form