Every two years, the Heineken Young Scientists Awards recognise four outstanding young researchers whose pioneering work serves as inspiration to their peers.
In 2026, the prizes will be awarded for the ninth time. Nominations for this edition are now open. The deadline for submissions is 13 October 2025.
About the Awards
The Heineken Young Scientists Awards were established in 2010 by Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken. Their aim is to honour the next generation of talented researchers and to encourage them in their contributions to science and society.
Each laureate receives a freely disposable cash prize of 15,000 euros and a commemorative work of art, along with media training and publicity, funded by the Alfred Heineken Fondsen Foundation. The awards are presented in the following domains:
- Medical/Biomedical Sciences
- Humanities
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates eligible for nomination for the awards are those who:
- obtained a PhD between three and eight years ago (as measured from the PhD award date). This period may be extended under the Foundation Extension Arrangement;
- have demonstrated outstanding scientific achievement in one of the four domains;
- at the time of nomination hold an appointment of at least 0,5 FTE at a university or research institute in the Netherlands.
To read the full regulations, click here.
Who can nominate
The following are eligible to nominate candidates:
- boards of management of universities in the Netherlands (maximum of two nominations per board);
- deans of faculties of universities in the Netherlands (maximum of two nominations per dean);
- directors of research institutes affiliated with KNAW and NWO (maximum of two nominations per director);
- directors of the Netherlands Federation of Academic Medical Centers (NFU)(maximum of two nominations per director).
Please note Self-nomination is not permitted.
From Nomination to Ceremony: Step-by-Step
1. Submit a Nomination
2: Confirmation
After submitting your nomination, you will receive a confirmation email. If not, please contact us at office@heinekenprizes.org.
3: Selection
An independent jury composed of leading experts will evaluate nominations and select the laureates.
4: Notification
All laureates will be personally informed by phone in April 2026. The names of the winners will be made public in a press release in June 2026.
5: Awards Ceremony
The Heineken Young Scientists Awards ceremony will take place on
1 October 2026, celebrating the achievements of the 2026 laureates.
For questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at office@heinekenprizes.org.