The Beijerinck Virology Fund was founded in 1965 by Mr. and Mrs. L.E. den Dooren de Jong in honour of the virologist Martinus Willem Beijerinck. Management of the fund was entrusted to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Since 1966, the Academy awards the M.W. Beijerinck Virology Medal, bearing the portrait of M.W. Beijerinck, every three years to an outstanding virologist. A legacy left by one of the founders of the Fund in 2000 made it possible to award the gold medal and a cash award of EUR 34,000 to the winner of the M.W. Beijerinck Virology Prize. The prize is awarded to a scientist active in the field in recognition of outstanding international achievement in virology, including the biochemical and biophysical aspects. Selection of the M.W. Beijerinck Virology Prize Laureates is entrusted to the jury of the M.W. Beijerinck Virology Fund.

M.W. Beijerinck Virology Prize 2007 Professor Charles M. Rice, United States, is being awarded the M.W. Beijerinck Virology Prize 2007 for his research in the field of virology, in particular for his research on Flavivirus. Press release in Dutch - in English