The Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine
About the award
The Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine will be presented annually, starting 2025. It is awarded for exceptional contributions to veterinary science in Sweden or other Nordic country.
These efforts involve forward-thinking scientific research that has contributed to improving the welfare of companion animals, horses or livestock in the Nordic countries. They may involve research breakthroughs or lifeworks that have had a major impact on animal health or welfare and been of benefit to many animals. Research into preventive measures is particularly welcome.
The winner of the award may be an individual or group. They are chosen by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences following proposals from the award committee, comprising representatives from and appointed by the Nordic veterinary science universities.
SLU will arrange an international award symposium on the theme of the year's award.
The award is funded by Agria Pet Insurance.
Criteria
The Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine is awarded for exceptional research contributions to veterinary medicine, conducted in the Nordic countries. Veterinary medical research refers to basic and applied research in the veterinary sciences including preclinical, paraclinical and clinical scientific subjects, particularly those related to animal health and welfare that have had a positive impact in the field.
These efforts involve forward-thinking scientific research that has contributed to improving the welfare of companion animals, horses or livestock in the Nordic countries. They may involve research breakthroughs or lifetime achievements that have had a major impact on animal health or welfare and benefitted many animals. Research on disease prevention is particularly welcome.
Upon request, the nominee must be able to certify that no unnecessary research on live animals was performed in their research efforts. Any necessary animal studies must have complied with the relevant regulations and legislation.
The winner of the award may be an individual or group, up to three individuals.
Anybody can nominate candidates for the award, however each nomination must be endorsed by a head of department or equivalent. Also, candidates must be informed of their nomination and consent to it.
Process of nomination
The nomination period for the 2025 award is closed, and the next call will open in December 2025.
An international award committee, appointed by each Nordic university that offers research and education in veterinary medicine, will oversee the decision-making process. The committee will enlist subject specialists to review the nominations.
The award recipient is decided annually in August by the Vice-Chancellor of SLU, following a recommendation from the designated award committee. And the award recipient will be celebrated on 26 November 2025 in Uppsala, Sweden.
FAQ
Is Agria Pet Insurance involved in the nomination and decision-making processes?
No, Agria Pet Insurance is not involved in the nomination and decision-making process. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is responsible for all processing and management of the award.
Can the award be shared?
The Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine can be shared between up to three people.
Can the award be given posthumously?
No, the award cannot be given posthumously.
Who decides the winner of the Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine?
The decision is taken by the Vice-Chancellor of SLU, following a recommendation from the designated award committee.
How can I be nominated for the Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine?
You can either nominate yourself or have somebody else nominate you using the nomination form.
Award committee
Chair:
Nils Fall, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Members:
Ann Lindberg, Director General at the Swedish Medical Products Agency
Ane Nødtvedt, Professor of Epidemiology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
Annemarie Thuri Kristensen, Professor in Companion Animal Clinical Oncology at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
Tomi Taira, Professor at the University of Helsinki (HU)
Deputy members:
Lotta Berg, Professor of Animal Environment and Health at SLU
Arild Espenes, Professor of Pathology at NMBU
Birgit Nørrung, Head of Dept of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at UCPH
Anna Mykkänen, Professor Equine and Small Animal Medicine at HU
Award coordinator:
Åsa Formo, Fundraiser, SLU