Summary
The Swiss Science Prize Marcel Benoist – one of Switzerland's most prestigious research prizes – is launching its nomination process for 2026. The prize, endowed with CHF 250,000, will be awarded this year in the field of Life Sciences (Biology and Medicine). Nominations can be submitted until February 23, 2026. The prize has been awarded annually since 1920 and is distinguished by the fact that eleven of its previous recipients later also received the Nobel Prize. The award ceremony will take place on November 5, 2026 at the Federal Palace.
People
- Didier Queloz – Chair of the Foundation Board (since 2023)
- Guy Parmelin – Federal Councillor, presiding over the award ceremony
Topics
- Research promotion and science prizes
- Life sciences, biology and medicine
- Swiss higher education landscape and research excellence
- Public-Private Partnership in the science sector
Detailed Summary
The Marcel Benoist Prize is considered Switzerland's most prestigious research prize and has been awarded annually for over 100 years to scientists whose research, conducted primarily in Switzerland, has brought important insights to science and society. The nomination process for 2026 focuses on personalities from the Life Sciences, particularly biology and medicine.
Nominations can now be submitted until February 23, 2026. Researchers, representatives of universities, research institutions, and public or private law institutions are eligible to submit nominations. Self-nominations are not permitted. The relevant research work must have been conducted predominantly in Switzerland.
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is responsible on behalf of the foundation for evaluating the nominees and selecting the prize winner. The winner will be announced to the public in September 2026. The formal award ceremony will take place on November 5, 2026 at the Federal Palace in the presence of Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, together with the presentation of the Latsis Prize.
The Marcel Benoist Foundation was founded in 1920 and has been organized as a Public-Private Partnership since 2018. It is supported by private donors, while the Federal Council appoints the members of the Foundation Board. Since 2023, Nobel Prize winner Didier Queloz has chaired the Foundation Board.
Key Messages
- The prize is endowed with CHF 250,000 and ranks among Switzerland's most prestigious science awards
- Eleven previous prize recipients later also received the Nobel Prize
- Nominations must be submitted by February 23, 2026
- The 2026 focus is on Life Sciences (Biology and Medicine)
- Self-nominations are excluded; only external institutions may nominate
- Research work must have been conducted predominantly in Switzerland
- Award ceremony takes place on November 5, 2026 at the Federal Palace
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| Researchers in Life Sciences | Potential nominees and prize recipients |
| Swiss Universities & Research Institutions | Eligible to nominate, benefit from visibility |
| Federal Council and WBF | Organizational and political responsibility |
| Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) | Evaluation and selection of candidates |
| Private Donors | Financial support of the foundation |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| International visibility for Swiss research | Limited number of nominations per year |
| Career boost for prize recipients | Possible geographic imbalances (centers vs. periphery) |
| Strengthening of research culture | High requirements may exclude qualified candidates |
| Networking between science and business | Subjectivity in jury evaluation |
Action Relevance
For Research Institutions and Universities:
- Identify qualified candidates in biology and medicine by February 23, 2026
- Check whether research work meets the criteria (Switzerland focus, relevance)
- Submit nominations via the official website
For Researchers:
- Inform your institution about potentially nomination-worthy work
- Check eligibility criteria on the Marcel Benoist Foundation website
For the Federal Council:
- Plan presence at the award ceremony on November 5, 2026
- Prepare communication of prize recipients in September 2026
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified
- [x] All data from the press release of January 12, 2026 verified
- [x] Organizational structure and responsibilities confirmed
- [x] Dates (nomination deadline, award ceremony) validated
Additional Research
- Marcel Benoist Foundation Website – Detailed nomination criteria and procedural guidelines: https://marcel-benoist.ch/nomination-2026
- Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) – Information on the evaluation procedure and previous prize recipients
- Federal Council and WBF – Official information on Swiss research promotion and science policy
Sources
Primary Source:
Press Release – Swiss Science Prize Marcel Benoist: Nomination Process Started
Published: January 12, 2026
Supplementary Sources:
- Marcel Benoist Foundation – Official Nomination Website: https://marcel-benoist.ch/nomination-2026
- Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) – Contact: [email protected]
- Federal Council – Press Releases on Science Prize Awards
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on January 12, 2026
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Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Checking: January 12, 2026