Your Application Starts Here

A Global Call to Visionaries

Each year, The Sigourney Award Trust welcomes applications from across the globe — from individuals, teams, and organizations whose work strengthens and reimagines psychoanalysis.

We seek work that:

  • Deepens psychoanalytic theory or clinical practice

  • Bridges psychoanalysis with other disciplines

  • Advances social justice and human dignity

  • Inspires cultural dialogue and artistic exploration

  • Expands public awareness of psychoanalytic ideas

Whether your contribution is clinical, theoretical, creative, interdisciplinary, or social in nature — what matters most is this: Has your work strengthened the presence, understanding, or impact of psychoanalysis?

See the application process details below.

Apply Now

Nominations Are Welcome — But Not Required

Great work is sometimes recognized by others before we recognize it ourselves. Colleagues may submit a nomination online, prompting the nominee to complete the application. However, a nomination is not necessary to apply. All applicants, including nominees, follow the same process, ensuring equity and transparency.

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Who Should Apply

Clinicians • Theorists • Teachers and Researchers • Artists, Writers, Filmmakers, Musicians • Social Advocates • Interdisciplinary Professionals • Organizations and Teams

Your work may be academic, clinical, creative, applied, theoretical, or grounded in social justice. What matters most is its impact. Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how their work has influenced psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic practice, or public awareness of psychoanalytic principles. Previous applicants are warmly encouraged to apply again with qualifying work from this ten-year window.

Honoring a Decade of Meaningful Work
We honor sustained vision — work that has taken root, influenced others, and contributed meaningfully to the evolution of psychoanalysis. The Sigourney Award recognizes completed work produced within the most recent decade. For the 2026 Award, eligible work must have been created between: 2016 – 2025.

Global Recognition
Recipients join a distinguished international community of thinkers, creators, and leaders shaping the future of psychoanalysis and its influence across disciplines. Award Recipients whose work wins also receive a substantial monetary award.

The Application Process

The application process is designed to help the international panel of judges assess the merits and impact of the applicants’ work. Each individual applicant, team, or organization is asked the same questions. Because submissions vary widely in terms of style, scope, medium, aim, and application, it is up to the applicant and their supporters to provide the judges with clear and detailed information about the work’s relevance, context, and implications. Submissions are evaluated for substance and impact — not writing style or English fluency.

Begin an Application

  • Click on the “Apply Now” link to create a Sigourney Award Trust account with a secure password.

  • Begin to fill out the online application or nomination.

  • Note - you may save drafts in the online application as you work. Once you submit, the application cannot be edited.

Applicants will be asked to provide:

  • A one-sentence impact statement

  • A 180-word summary of the work

  • Responses to impact-focused questions

  • Two independent evaluations of the work (Applicants ask evaluators to complete an online evaluation questionnaire within the application.)

  • Ten years of credentials supporting the work submitted

  • A professional photo or logo

  • A digital signature and confirmation that the information submitted is correct and true. Note: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete the application does not change your ethical responsibility to ensure the information submitted is accurate and true.

  • Optional materials may include press coverage, publications, or creative samples.

Applicant Types

  • Individual - Work conducted by one person

  • Team - Work conducted by a group or committee

  • Organization - Work conducted for or by a for-profit or nonprofit entity

Applications may be submitted in over 100 languages. International applications are reviewed using professional translation tools when needed. Online applications must be complete and submitted by July 31, 2026.

Visit the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) page for additional information.

Award Timeline

APPLICATION PERIOD

March 1 – July 31

JUDGING PERIOD

August 1 – October 31

RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Early-Mid November

A Rigorous Judging Process

All applicants complete the same standardized process, promoting equity and fairness worldwide. Judges are appointed by the Trustees and remain confidential to ensure independence and integrity. Applications are assessed by the international panel of independent judges using clearly defined criteria, including:

  • Advancing the mission and vision of The Sigourney Award Trust

  • Enriching psychoanalytic thought, techniques, or applications

  • Expanding the cultural and social reach of psychoanalysis

  • Increasing positive public understanding of psychoanalytic principles

  • Fostering dialogue between psychoanalysis and other fields

  • Demonstrating measurable or meaningful impact