ESWI's prize for young scientists in influenza was open to young scientists throughout the world who are about six or seven years from their PhD. Every two years ESWI thereby hopes to endow a brilliant young flu researcher with recognition at a potentially critical time in their careers and assist their establishment in a permanent academic position boosting their competitive edge relative to that of candidates from other areas. The prize had been substantiated with the prestige of a distinguished external jury of twelve eminent influenza specialists. Jury evaluations had been received from: Prof Dr. Ian Barr; Prof. Dr. Ilaria Capua; Prof. Dr. Adolfo Garcia-Sastre; Prof. Dr. Yoshi Kawaoka; Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Klenk; Prof. Dr. Robert Krug; Prof. Dr. Janet McElhaney; Prof. Arnold Monto; Prof. Dr. Malik Peiris; Prof. Dr. Robert Webster; Prof Dr. David Swayne and Prof Dr Jonathan Yewdell.

The prestige of this panel furnishes the main endowment of the prize. To infuse it with further weight and increase its visibility it also carries an unconditional cash award of 10,000 EUR for research or person use however the recipient sees fit.The first prize winner, Gülsah Gabriel, received the award in September 2009 and has become an active member of ESWI since then.