In 1971, the Lewis S. Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Basic Medical Resarch was established as an expression of the conviction that educational institutions have an important role to play in the encouragement and development of basic science as it applies to medicine. Medals are presented annually at Brandeis University on the basis of recommendations of a panel of outstanding scientists selected by the Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center. Awards are given to scientists for recent discoveries of particular originality and importance to basic medical research. A $30,000 prize and a medallion (pictured) accompanies each award. Since its inception, Brandeis University has placed great emphasis on basic science and its relationship to medicine. With the formation of the Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, made possible by the generosity of Lewis S. Rosenstiel in 1968, research in basic medical science has been significantly expanded. These awards are viewed as a means of extending the Center's support beyond the campus community.