Royal visit as The Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine was presented at SLU
Under solemn and celebratory circumstances, the newly established Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine was presented on 26 November 2025. The award highlights Nordic research that has made a significant contribution to improving animal health and welfare.
The ceremony at Campus Ultuna brought together researchers, students, partners and guests to honour both the award recipient and the scientific progress shaping the future of veterinary medicine.
“For two and a half centuries, veterinary medicine has played a vital role in safeguarding the health of both animals and humans. SLU has a special responsibility to carry this tradition forward through research that makes a tangible difference in society. This award demonstrates how important it is to recognise—and to continue investing in—knowledge that strengthens animal welfare and supports what we call One Health, the understanding that human and animal health are closely connected,” says Maria Knutson Wedel, Vice-Chancellor of SLU.
The Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine
The award recognises outstanding research in the Nordic region that has contributed to improving the welfare of companion animals, horses or livestock. It places particular emphasis on preventive research that strengthens animal health and welfare. The award was established in 2024 by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Agria, and is presented annually. With a prize sum of one million SEK, it is the largest research award in the world within its field.
This year’s recipient, Professor Henrik Elvang Jensen of the University of Copenhagen, was honoured for his lifelong contribution to animal health and welfare. His work has led to tangible improvements – from reducing the incidence of shoulder ulcers in sows to developing internationally adopted diagnostic methods for fungal infections.
“It is especially fitting that the very first presentation of the award coincides with the 250th anniversary of veterinary medicine in Sweden,” says Maria Knutson Wedel.
David Haak, CEO of Agria, congratulated the laureate.
"I am proud to be here today as we have gathered to recognize the importance of veterinary research. The Agria Research Fund was established as early as 1938, and we are now pleased to bring this together into a single major award. We want to contribute to a better future for animals through improved care and more effective treatments. Henrik Elvang Jensen’s groundbreaking work in veterinary pathology and forensic veterinary medicine sets a new standard for how animal suffering can be assessed and prevented, which is of great importance for animal welfare and veterinary medicine in the Nordic countries and beyond."
The prize was presented by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria.
The Crown Princess Visited the University Animal Hospital
As part of the programme, H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria visited the University Animal Hospital (UDS), Sweden’s only university animal hospital, one of Europe’s leading veterinary hospitals, and a central training environment for future veterinarians. During the tour, she was introduced to the hospital’s advanced treatments and to how research findings are rapidly translated into clinical practice.
Symposium Featuring Young Researchers
The day also included a symposium featuring young researchers from Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, showcasing the breadth of current veterinary research – from sleep apnoea in dogs to the effects of training on equine heart function, and new insights into the treatment of fentanyl poisoning. The moderator for the day was Malin von Essen.
Learn more
Learn more about The Award for Outstanding Research in Veterinary Medicine (in English): www.slu.se/vetmedaward
Learn more about 250 Years of Veterinary Medicine in Sweden (in Swedish): www.slu.se/svm250