Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest
Click here to read the 2025 Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest winning essays!
2025 Student winners received:
Cash prize: 1st place US$500; 2nd place US$250
Winner certificate
Recognition at a virtual award event in May, 2025
Event was hosted by Dr. Paul Offit - VEC director, vaccine inventor and Hilleman biographer.
The event also included special guests and student winners reading their essays.
2025 Teacher winners received:
A signed book written by Paul A. Offit, MD
1-year, complimentary membership to the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
Check back this fall for details about next year's contest!
The Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest is a program of the Vaccine Makers Project (VMP), presented by the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (VEC). The VMP provides free school-based materials about the immune system, diseases, vaccines, STEM careers, and evaluating information.
Thank you to the co-sponsors of the 2025 Maurice R. Hilleman Essay Contest:
Find information about our co-sponsors on their websites:
Public Health Association of BC
Kids Boost Immunity
Society for Intelligence Management
National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
We would also like to thank Mrs. Lorraine Hilleman for her ongoing support and participation in the contest.
Essay Contest Resources
Visit these pages to find helpful essay contest-related resources:
Student Resources
Educator Resources
Winning essays from previous years