The Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation has since its founding supported the University Children's Hospital Zurich, donating a total of 70 million Swiss francs for infrastructure and pioneering research projects. As part of this collaboration, the “Thomas and Doris Ammann Prize of the University Children's Hospital Zurich” will be awarded from 2026 onwards for outstanding achievements in pediatric medicine.

For further information: Media release

The Thomas and Doris Amman Prize will be awarded as part of an annual scientific conference. It recognizes excellence in pediatric research and clinical practice. With an annual prize award of 250,000 Swiss francs, shared between a principal prize and a prize for young research talent, it has one of the highest endowments of any award for pediatric medicine anywhere in the world. 

The prize is awarded annually and consists of:

a. The principal prize of 200,000 Swiss francs;

b. One or more young talent prizes or grants totaling up to 50,000 Swiss francs.

The principal prize is intended for internationally recognized figures in pediatric medicine.

 The young talent prices are intended for research scientists under the age of 45 who hold a doctoral degree or equivalent qualification. These individuals display exceptional potential and their work is clearly related to pediatric medicine.

There is no open application process. Candidates may only be nominated by the Jury, an international, independent group of 5-7 international experts in pediatric medicine (see below for more information). The Committee, consisting of members of the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation, the Children’s Hospital – Eleonore Foundation plus an independent Chair, reviews the Jury’s proposal and make the final decision (see below for more information).

The Jury is made up of five to seven internationally recognized experts from the fields of research and clinical practice. They represent the various disciplines of pediatric medicine and regions of the world: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania. The Jury members are appointed by the Committee. Each Jury member serves for three years, and no member may serve for more than six years in total. At least four regions of the world must be represented on the Jury. A region is regarded as represented if the relevant Jury member lives in that region.

Each member of the Jury may nominate a maximum of one person per prize category. The Jury draws up a written proposal for the Committee on the award of the prize, stating its reasons for selecting the nominee.

The Committee selecting the prize winners is made up of five people. Two members are appointed by the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation, and two by the Eleonore Foundation, operating the University Children’s Hospital Zurich. The Foundation and the Children's Hospital jointly agree on the fifth member. This individual acts as chairperson.

The Committee decides who should receive the prizes based on the proposals from the interdisciplinary and international Jury. 

Selection criteria and procedure

Nominations and awards consider the following criteria:

a.         Scientific quality and clinical relevance;

b.         Innovation potential;

c.         International reach;

d.         Career-developing nature (in the case of young talent prizes);

e.         Interdisciplinary collaboration and translational approach.

The principal prize will be awarded on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in the Zurich Research and Teaching building. The prize winner must be there in person to receive the prize.

Dress code: office chic.

You can't register just yet. If you are interested, send a mail to @email

It is an invitation-only event. Invitations will be sent out to invitees in early January 2026 and will include details of the program for the evening.

If you have any questions, please write an e-mail to @email. We’ll be happy to help.