FAQS
Abarca Prize

What does Abarca Prize
recognise exactly?

Abarca Prize recognises the work of a scientist of international renown who has made a biomedical discovery of global significance, and whose professional career has contributed in a transcendental manner to the improvement of people’s health. All this must have been done in accordance with the humanistic and professional values that Dr Juan Abarca has upheld throughout his personal and professional life: values dedicated to furthering the health and well-being of his patients.

What does the prize consist of?

It consists of a cash prize of €100,000 and a certificate for the winner.

How can I submit my application?

The presentation of nominations have been made by third parties, that is, persons or entities other than the person being nominated.

Who can nominate someone
for the Abarca Prize?

Companies, foundations, researchers, universities, hospitals, professional associations, scientific societies and royal academies can nominate a scientist who has made a transcendental biomedical discovery that has improved people’s health worldwide.

Do the submissions need
to be in a certain language?

All documentation regarding nominations must be submitted in Spanish or English.

Who selects the winner?

The winner is chosen by a jury whose members have been appointed by Fundación de Investigación HM Hospitales and who come from a range of professional profiles (scientific, clinical and other fields) and nationalities. The jury ensure that the recipient has made a significant global scientific contribution to human health.

When will the winner of
the Abarca Prize be announced?

The winner will be announced on the first week of the coming month of October, 2025.

When will the prize-giving
ceremony take place?

The award ceremony will take place in October in Madrid (Spain).

How will the recipient
ceremony be held?

The format of the prize ceremony will be adapted to the health measures and restrictions in force in the month of October 2025, in order to ensure the safety of all attendees.

What does the nomination process involve?

The period for the first stage of the nomination process has been opened from February 12 until 2:00 p.m. (Spanish time) on May 30, 2025. Individuals or entities have submitted a letter of intent explaining the reasons why the applicant qualifies for the prize, in accordance with the values of the prize.

Once the deadline for submissions has passed Fundación de Investigación HM Hospitales will evaluate the fulfilment of the requirements, as well as the suitability of the applicants. An Advisory Committee, composed of members of an impartial nature, will determine the final selection to be presented to the jury, which will include a maximum of 5 applications.

Can a person who has already been proposed in a previous edition be nominated again?

Yes, it is possible to present a person who has previously been nominated as a candidate, provided that the presentation of the candidacy is indirect, that is, through persons or entities other than the candidate.

How do I know if my application is among the 5 finalists?

If your application has reached the second stage and is among those selected for presentation to the jury, the secretariat of Abarca Prize will invite you to submit all the documentation that confirms the person nominated deserves the prize.

Who will evaluatethe submitted application?

In the first stage, an Advisory Committee, made up by members of impartial nature, will be responsible for evaluating the applications and select those 5 projects that have contributed to improving the health of people in a transcendental manner. In the second stage, these projects will be sent to the jury of the V Edition of Abarca Prize, so that they can select the winning project under their best criteria and knowledge.

Where can I find information on how to submit a nomination for the Abarca Prize?

Here you can find information about the legal terms and conditions of the prize:

Download the Terms and Conditions

Is it possible to nominate
someone posthumously?

No, it is not possible to nominate someone posthumously. This is one of the basic requirements set out in the prize’s terms and conditions.

If a group of researchers is responsible for a particularly important discovery, can the whole group be nominated for Abarca Prize?

No, Abarca Prize rewards the work of an individual scientist of international renown whose biomedical discovery is of worldwide significance and whose professional career has contributed in a transcendental manner to improving people’s health.

Can someone who is not currently practicing medicine apply?

Yes, because the prize recognizes those works or activities carried out prior to the call-in question.