Your Questions Answered

Online Application Overview

Applications must be submitted through the online application portal by July 31, 2026. Visit the Apply page to begin an application.

Submissions are evaluated for substance and impact — not writing style or English fluency. International applications are reviewed using professional translation tools when needed.

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.

  • 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)

    • Ten years of credentials supporting the submitted work

    • A professional photo or organizational logo

    Optional Submission Materials May Also Include:

    • Press coverage

    • Publications

    • Creative samples

  • March 1 – July 31: Application Period

    August 1 – October 31: Judging Period

    Early–Mid November: Recipients Announcement

  • In 2026, to improve the experience of applicants and their supporters, the request for online letters of support shifted to a request for evaluators to complete an online evaluation questionnaire. The questionnaire is focused on the communicating the impact of the work submitted for award consideration.

    The shift in focus from “support” to evaluation will provide the judges key information about the impact of the applicant’s work.

    Applicants are required to submit two independent evaluations of the work submitted. The application includes a place for applicants to ask evaluators to complete the online evaluation of work questionnaire.

  • Applications may be submitted in over 100 languages. Judging is conducted in English using professional translation tools when needed.

  • Please note:

    • The Award recognizes the team’s work collectively, not an individual member’s contribution.

    • Determine your team name and use it consistently in the application.

    • Designate one primary contact and provide their contact information.

    • List all additional team members in the application.

    • If the team’s work is selected, the primary contact is responsible for distributing funds amongst team members.

  • Previous applicants who were not selected are warmly encouraged to reapply with eligible work from this ten-year period.

    Many winners have applied multiple times before winning.

Award Basics

  • Who created the Award?


    Mary S. Sigourney, a licensed psychotherapist, publisher, and community activist established the Award upon her death in 1988.   

  • What do Recipients receive?


    Recipients join an outstanding group of past Award winners who are globally recognized as leaders in their field. Each recipient also receives a substantial monetary prize and extensive web and social media exposure in the professional community and general public.

  • How much is the monetary award?


    The amount of the monetary award varies from year to year depending on a number of factors including the number of recipients chosen by the judges for that year and tax requirements. The Awards have typically ranged from $20,000 to $30,000 US dollars.

    There are no restrictions on use of the monetary prize and recipients have complete discretion as to how they use the funds. 

  • How many Awards have been given?


    There have been 153 Awards since the Sigourney Award Trust began accepting applications in 1989, 21 to organizations, 3 to teams and 129 to individuals. Awards were given for the first time in 1990.

Eligibility

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.

  • We welcome applications from:

    • Clinicians

    • Theorists

    • Teachers and researchers

    • Artists, writers, filmmakers, and 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 demonstrated impact.

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to show how their work has influenced:

    • Psychoanalytic thought

    • Psychoanalytic practice

    • Public understanding of psychoanalytic principles

  • The Trust seeks broad diversity among applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender, gender expression or identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, or military status.

    We welcome applications from individuals, teams, and organizations worldwide whose completed work:

    • Represents a significant contribution to psychoanalysis within the past ten years. For the 2026 Award, eligible work must have been completed between: 2016 – 2025. The Sigourney Award is NOT a lifetime achievement award.

    • Applies psychoanalytic principles to improve the human experience

    • Extends psychoanalysis into art, journalism, medicine, science, education, advocacy, or social justice

    • Pushes boundaries and opens new conversations

  • The following are not eligible:

    • Current or recent officers of national or international psychoanalytic associations

    • Trustees of The Sigourney Award Trust

    • Past Award Recipients

    • Proposed work

The Award Overview

Mary Sigourney Trust continues to recognize and reward outstanding work that fosters greater understanding, innovation, and acceptance of psychoanalysis and its societal benefits. A notable panel of anonymous judges evaluate a broad spectrum of work that embody Mary Sigourney’s vision supporting the evolution of psychoanalysis.

  • The Award was established by Mary S. Sigourney, a licensed psychotherapist, publisher, and community activist. She created the Award and its judging criteria shortly before her death in 1988. The first Awards were given in 1990.

  • Since accepting applications in 1989, the Trust has presented:

    • 153 Awards total

    • 129 to individuals

    • 21 to organizations

    • 3 to teams

  • Applications are assessed by an international panel of independent judges using clearly defined criteria, including:

    • Advancing the mission and vision of the 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

    Judges are appointed by the Trustees and remain confidential to ensure independence and integrity.

    All applicants complete the same standardized process, promoting equity and fairness worldwide.

  • Recipients join a distinguished international community of thinkers, creators, and leaders shaping the future of psychoanalysis across disciplines.

    Award recipients receive:

    • A substantial monetary award

    • A commemorative trophy

    • International recognition within the psychoanalytic community

    • A featured profile on the Award website

    • Announcements across LinkedIn, social media, and global psychoanalytic networks

  • The monetary award varies each year depending on factors such as the number of recipients selected and tax considerations.

    Historically, awards have ranged from:  $20,000 to $30,000 USD

    There are no restrictions on the use of the funds. Recipients have full discretion in how they use the award.

The Award Trust

Annually, The Sigourney Award rewards outstanding work throughout the world that has advanced psychoanalytic thought, principles, and practice. The trustees ensure that the award continues to successfully carry out the legacy and the mission of Mary Sigourney.

  • The Trust maintains two Trustee positions:

    • One distinguished psychoanalyst

    • One attorney with fiduciary expertise

    The current Trustees are:

    • Dr. Robin A. Deutsch, PhD

    • Michael J. Harrington, JD

  • The Advisory Council expands the reach and perspective of the Trust. It serves as a sounding board for the Trustees and provides guidance when requested. Members are appointed by the Trustees.

    2026 Advisory Council

    • Ines Bayona Villegas (Colombia)

    • Peter Fonagy, PhD, OBE, FBA, FAcSS, FMedSci (United Kingdom; 2010 Recipient)

    • Kunihiro Matsuki, MD (Japan)

    • Helí Rafael Morales Ascencio, PhD (Mexico; 2020 Recipient)

    • Maria Teresa Savio Hooke, OAM (Australia)

    • Mark Solms, MD, PhD (South Africa; 2011 Recipient)

  • No. The Trust operates independently and is not part of any psychoanalytic organization.

    Mary Sigourney intentionally structured the Trust to remain independent of political and institutional pressures. While she valued the contributions of psychoanalytic organizations, she believed the Award should remain free to recognize innovation — especially applied psychoanalysis and research beyond traditional institutional structures.

Questions? Contact us at info@sigourneyaward.org