Powered by Partnership

The Winn Awards are powered by partnership. We are grateful to the organizations working alongside us to address one of the most persistent challenges in medicine: broadening participation in clinical trials so research better reflects the populations it aims to serve.

Together, we are proving that when industry, academia, and professional organizations unite with a common mission, we can strengthen research, broaden access, and advance Better Science For All.

About Our Founding

The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization, founded the Winn Awards in 2020 with a groundbreaking $100 million investment. Since then, they have funded hundreds of scholars, students, and investigators.

We are grateful to BMS Foundation for their vision and enduring dedication to our mission of Better Science For All.

Our Funding Partners

The Winn Awards thrive thanks to the generosity and vision of our funding partners. More than supporters, they are leaders committed to advancing inclusive, community-driven science. Their investment empowers a national network of physicians and researchers to make Better Science For All a reality, bringing the latest medical advances to communities everywhere.

The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation), an independent charitable organization, is focused on advancing health equity and dedicated to its mission to improve global health. By empowering local communities to create lasting impact, the BMS Foundation’s vision is for a future where all people, regardless of where they live, can achieve their best possible health through strong local healthcare systems. It invests in capacity building and health systems strengthening programs to expand access to care for medically underserved populations in the geographies where it is focused, including Brazil, India, Sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. Through its strategic grantee partners and locally led solutions, the BMS Foundation advances innovative approaches that ultimately improve patient outcomes and promote health equity worldwide.

Gilead Sciences joined the Winn Awards in 2022. Gilead is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer and inflammation. In 2025, Gilead announced a planned $32 billion investment to further strengthen its U.S. footprint to power the next era of discovery, job creation and public health preparedness – while continuing to invest globally to ensure patients everywhere benefit from its scientific innovation. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, Calif.

Amgen joined the Winn Awards in 2023. Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative medicines to fight some of the world’s toughest diseases. Harnessing the best of biology and technology, Amgen reaches millions of patients with its medicines. More than 45 years ago, Amgen helped establish the biotechnology industry at its U.S. headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California, and it remains at the cutting edge of innovation, using technology and human genetic data to push beyond what is known today. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline and portfolio of medicines to treat cancer, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, heart disease and obesity and obesity-related conditions. For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow Amgen on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and Threads.

Genentech joined the Winn Awards in 2024. Founded 50 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.

AstraZeneca joined the Winn Awards in 2025. AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca’s innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.

Our Implementation Partners & Collaborators

The Winn Awards could not carry out our mission without the efforts of our implementation partners and collaborators. These dedicated organizations work alongside us to bring programs to life, ensuring that every initiative is executed with excellence and reach. Their expertise, insights, and hands-on support amplify the impact of our work, helping us support emerging physicians and researchers, deliver transformative opportunities, and advance Better Science For All.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) was selected as a curriculum partner in 2020 and has been our partner ever since. Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 62,600 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 143 countries and territories around the world. The AACR also provides research funding and actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

About Conquer Cancer and EveryGrant®
Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation, funds research for every cancer, every patient, everywhere. Since 1984, its Grants & Awards program has awarded more than $203 million through more than 9,800 grants and awards to improve cancer care and accelerate breakthroughs in clinical and translational oncology research. For more information visit CONQUER.ORG.

Powered by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, EveryGrant is a comprehensive grant management service that blends decades of grantmaking success with a global network of experts to help organizations design innovative funding programs—all without navigating the complexities of building them in-house.

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org , Facebook , X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

Our Partners in Action

Join Us

Join us in our pursuit of Better Science For All. Together, we are showing the world that we can overcome society’s greatest health challenges through collaboration.

To learn more, contact Stephanie Sullens, Director of External Affairs at sullenss@vcu.edu or 573-823-4668.