In 1955 the Jellinek Memorial Fund was established to commemorate Dr. E. M. Jellinek's great contribution to the field of ALCOHOL studies. A capital fund was developed and the interest from this fund has been used to provide an annual cash award to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the alcohol/alcoholism field. The first award was presented in 1968.

Each year the board of directors of the Jellinek Memorial Fund designates the specific area of research for which the award will be made and appoints an Expert Selection Committee to review candidates and recommend an appropriate awardee. The awardee may be selected from any country, the sole criterion being the scientific contribution that the person has made within the selected category. The award is traditionally presented at a major international conference and, if necessary, travel and accommodation...