After the strong international debut of its first edition, the Semmelweis–Richter Journalism Award returns in 2026, inviting journalists from across Europe to submit work that brings critical health issues into public focus.
The award recognizes outstanding journalism in two categories — Women’s Health and Pharmaceutical Strategies and Innovation — with a special focus this year on cardiovascular therapies . The initiative highlights the essential role of high-quality health journalism in improving public understanding, addressing underreported conditions, and supporting informed decision-making.
The international award was launched in 2025 by Semmelweis University, Hungary’s leading medical and health sciences university, with the support of Gedeon Richter, a Hungary-based, innovation-focused multinational pharmaceutical company. The award recognizes high-quality health journalism and highlights its role in informing the public and shaping health-related debate across Europe.
The first edition attracted nearly 70 submissions from more than 20 European countries, with winning and shortlisted articles appearing in major international outlets including The Times , The Guardian , La República , and Süddeutsche Zeitung , demonstrating the growing importance of reliable, accessible health reporting.
Submissions will be evaluated by an international jury based on journalistic quality, depth of reporting, relevance, originality, and clarity of communication.
The application period opens on April 1, 2026, and closes on June 9, 2026 (23:59 CET) . Full submission guidelines and eligibility criteria are available at: https://semmelweisrichteraward.com/
The total prize fund is €45,000 , and winners will be announced in the last week of July 2026 . Award recipients will be invited to an award ceremony at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, in October 2026 .