To acknowledge and recognise outstanding young medicinal chemists and chemical biologists (≤ 12 years after PhD) working in European industry and academia, EFMC established the "EFMC Prize for a Young Medicinal Chemist or Chemical Biologist in Industry" and the "EFMC Prize for a Young Medicinal Chemist or Chemical Biologist in Academia".
The two Prizes are given annually and consist of a diploma, 2.500€ and an invitation for an oral communication at an EFMC Symposium.
The Prize winners will be invited to give an oral communication at the EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC Medicinal Chemistry 2026), scheduled to be held in Basel, Switzerland from September 6-10 2026.
The eligibility criteria are as follow:
- Not exceed 12 years after PhD on the year during which the prize will be conferred
- Candidates must be active in European industry or academia. For those working in industry, at least 50% of their career—including research activities, publications, and patents—must have been carried
- out within an industrial setting in Europe.
- Be a registered member of one of the EFMC National Adhering Organisation
Deadline for nomination submissions: January 31, 2026.
EFMC Prize for a Young Medicinal Chemist or Chemical Biologist in Industry
Nominations should be done by the candidate’s supervisor and consist of:
- a letter by the supervisor;
- a brief CV of the candidate;
- abstract of the potential oral presentation.
EFMC Prize for a Young Medicinal Chemist or Chemical Biologist in Academia
Applications should consist of:
- a one-page letter by the candidate including a short rationale for their application;
- a one-page with his/her 5 most important publications;
- a brief CV of the candidate;
- abstract of the potential oral presentation.
Link to the submission page and the form
David Spichiger, SCS
02.10.2025