EUSPR 2026 Awards Criteria

EUSPR 2026 Awards

Nominations for 2026 EUSPR awards are now open. Any EUSPR member is eligible to make a nomination on this form, but self-nominations are not accepted.

Those nominated do not need to be current EUSPR members, but they should have a demonstrable connection to EUSPR — for example, current or previous membership, participation in one or more EUSPR conferences, or other meaningful engagement with the Society’s work. Please be as detailed as possible in your nomination, as individuals will be judged on the information presented. Please complete a separate form if you wish to make a second nomination for another individual or award.

Please note that the EUSPR Board has agreed that

1. current board members are not eligible for nomination for any award
2. nominations from within the same working group or department are not accepted
3. in submitting a nomination, the nominator takes on a sponsoring role: they are asked to vouch, to the best of their knowledge, for the nominee’s scientific and ethical standing, and to explain briefly what the nominee would bring to the EUSPR community

The EUSPR reserves the right not to make an award if no suitable nominations are received.

1. Sloboda Medal: The Sloboda Medal is awarded for sustained contribution to the development of Prevention Science in Europe and internationally. Applicants will be judged against these measures: a longstanding record of outstanding personal achievements, with significant contribution to the advancement of prevention science and evidence of impact both within Europe and internationally. However, applicants will not be required to meet all of the criteria.
2. Leading European Prevention Science Practitioner Honour: The Leading European Prevention Science Practitioner Honour is awarded for outstanding leadership in the adoption and implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies, including support for further high-quality research evaluation. Applicants will be judged against these measures: outstanding leadership of the adoption and implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies and evidence of supporting ongoing, high-quality prevention research evaluation in this area, and advocacy for implementation of evidence-based practice. However, applicants will not be required to meet all of the criteria.
3. Conference Award 2026: This award is given to an individual whose work has contributed to the field of Prevention Science in ways which address the theme of our annual conference.  This year the theme of the conference is Innovation in Prevention to Support Health Equity’. We therefore invite nominations relating to individuals who have contributed to this topic with relevant contributions that could include practice or research related to:
   1. scientific advances regarding technology like AI, 
   1. novel approaches to personalised prevention
   1. conceptual innovation (e.g., linking climate and health, one health and planetary health)
   1. the risks and chances for equitable prevention for all.  
4. Rising Star Award: The Rising Star Award is given to an individual who has a made a significant contribution to the field of Prevention Science. This contribution may comprise conducting high quality research (including postgraduate courses or contributing as an individual to larger projects), implementing or supporting the implementation of evidence-based interventions, or other activities. These contributions will also demonstrate potential to be sustained over the long term and with relevance for Europe. The award is open to anyone who has started working in the field of Prevention Science within the last five years. This period of five years may comprise postgraduate study and/or paid employment. 

How to submit your nomination: Nominations should be emailed to the EUSPR via office@euspr.org 

Deadline for submission of nominations: 16^th of August, 2026

Winners will be notified by email on 31^st of August, 2026

Recipients will receive a certificate from EUSPR Office and one year’s free EUSPR membership. Nominations will be received from the EUSPR membership with the final decision made by the EUSPR Awards Committee after consultation with the EUSPR board. Awards will be presented at the EUSPR Annual Conference which takes place in Dublin (Ireland), during the closing ceremony (18^th September, 2026, 12:00).

Awards are handed over only in person. If an awarded individual cannot be present at the awards ceremony of the conference, it can be given at any following conference. Nomination form is below in Word document.

Best Early Career Poster Presentation
Submit your poster, audio recording, and abstract to EUSPR Office by email (office@euspr.org) by July 19^th, 2026, 11:59pm CEST. 

Best Early Career Oral Presentation
Submit your presentation, audio recording, and abstract to EUSPR Office by email (office@euspr.org) by July 19^th, 2026, 11:59pm CEST. 

Winners will be notified in the 1^st week of August. 

Award Process
Winners will be publicly announced at the EUSPR 2026 Closing Ceremony on September 18^th (12:00). Winners will receive a certificate by email from EUSPR Office (office@euspr.org) and a complimentary conference registration to EUSPR 2027.