Winner 2026
The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) is pleased to announce Oliver Howes, United Kingdom, as the recipient of the 2026 ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award (clinical), in recognition of his achievements in molecular psychiatry, advancing our understanding of the causes and treatment of psychotic and affective disorders, particularly the roles of dopamine and neuroinflammation in psychosis.
The winner is awarded with a cash prize of EUR 10,000 which is conferred upon the acceptance for publication of a review article in European Neuropsychopharmacology.
The winner is also honoured with a commemorative statuette and certificate and an invitation to present the award Plenary Lecture during the ECNP Congress.
In addition, the winner of the award is asked to join the Award Committee for the year when the next winner of his/her area (i.e. preclinical or clinical research) is selected. The winner may also be asked for an interview, to be published in ECNP communication channels.
Award ceremony
The award will be presented at the 39th ECNP Congress 2026.
Who is eligible?
Residents of European countries* who are affiliated with a university, research institution or hospital, and whose research originates primarily in Europe.
Members of the ECNP Executive Committee, the chair of the ECNP Scientific Programme Committee and the members of the ECNP Award Committee are not eligible until three years after their term.
*The 46 countries of the Council of Europe, plus Israel.
Selection of the winner
The award winner is selected by the ECNP Award Committee. The award cannot be shared and cannot be won more than once by the same individual.
Previous winners
View below previous ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award winners.
Basic science research
| Year | Winner |
| 2025 | Carmen Sandi, Switzerland |
| 2023 | Oscar Marín, United Kingdom |
| 2021 | Valery Grinevich, Germany |
| 2019 | Inga Neumann, Germany |
| 2017 | Michel Hamon, France |
| 2015 | Francesc Artigas, Spain |
| 2013 | Anders Björklund, Sweden |
| 2011 | Bertil Fredholm, Sweden |
| 2009 | Jean-Pol Tassin, France |
| 2007 | E. Ron de Kloet, The Netherlands |
| 2005 | Michel Le Moal, France |
| 2003 | Kjell Fuxe, Sweden |
| 2001/2002 | Hanns Möhler, Switzerland |
| 2000 | Torgny Svensson, Sweden |
| 1999 | Jean-Pierre Changeux, France |
| 1998 | Eric A. Barnard, United Kingdom |
| 1997 | Peter Seeburg, Germany |
| 1996 | Hans Thoenen, Germany |
| 1995 | Joël Bockaert, France |
| 1994 | Jean-Charles Schwartz, France |
| 1993 | Salomon Z. Langer, France |
| 1992 | John Pinnington-Hughes, United Kingdom |
| 1991 | Thomas Hökfelt, Sweden |
| 1989 | Ole Rafaelsen (posthumously), Denmark |
Clinical research
| Year | Winner |
| 2024 | Elias Eriksson, Sweden |
| 2022 | Marie Åsberg, Sweden |
| 2020 | Markus Heilig, Sweden |
| 2018 | Marion Leboyer, France |
| 2016 | John Geddes, United Kingdom |
| 2014 | Rene Kahn, The Netherlands |
| 2012 | (joint-winners) Paul Harrison, United Kingdom Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Germany |
| 2010 | Kaj Blennow, Sweden |
| 2008 | Klaus-Peter Lesch, Germany |
| 2006 | Florian Holsboer, Germany |
| 2004 | Michael Davidson, Israel |
| 2001/2002 | Eugene Paykel, United Kingdom |
| 2000 | Giovanni Cassano, Italy |
| 1999 | Stuart A. Montgomery, United Kingdom |
| 1998 | Joseph Zohar, Israel |
| 1997 | Hanns Hippius, Germany |
| 1996 | Robert H. Belmaker, Israel |
| 1995 | Herman van Praag, The Netherlands |
| 1994 | Göran Sedvall, Sweden |
| 1993 | Carl-Gerhard Gottfries, Sweden |
| 1992 | Julien Mendlewicz, Belgium |
| 1991 | Alec Coppen, United Kingdom |
| 1989 | Max Hamilton (posthumously), United Kingdom |