EARLY CAREER RESEARCH AWARD GUIDELINES

1. General information

HEPA Europe recognizes the importance of supporting early-career researchers in developing their professional identity. At the 17th HEPA Europe Conference, we are pleased to once again open the Early Career Research Award, which aims to acknowledge the valuable contributions of researchers at the beginning of their scientific careers. Early-career researchers are invited to participate in this prestigious competition celebrating scientific excellence.

2. Eligibility and Selection Guidelines

Abstracts submitted by the 15.3.2026 whose authors expressed interest and met the eligibility criteria for the Early Career Research Award will be considered. Conference registration is required for all presenters to be considered for the Award. Shortlisted authors will be notified via email by 15.5.2026. Final assessments will be made during session presentations by representatives from the HEPA Europe Conference Scientific Committee and Session Chairs. Presentations will be assessed for clarity, scientific quality, novelty and contribution to the field.

Note: Only one abstract per candidate will be considered for the Award. 

3. Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the award, the individual must:
–          be presenting as the lead author,
–          be within 5 years of receiving their highest degree,
–          live, work or study within a country of the WHO European Region,
–         provide a short biography (max 200 words) which will be requested following notification of the shortlisting process.

4. Award

The winner will receive the Early Career Research Award certificate which will be presented during the closing ceremony on the final day of the HEPA Europe conference.

Further inquiries for authors whose abstracts were accepted for oral presentations and have been considered for the Early Career Research Award can be made by contacting: info@hepa2026.si.

BEST PAPER AWARDS GUIDELINES

1. General information

At the 2026 conference, two Best Paper Awards will be granted for the first time. The awards will recognize outstanding abstracts in two categories:

• Policy/Practice-Oriented Abstracts
• Research-Oriented Abstracts

2. Eligibility and Selection Guidelines

All submitted abstracts are automatically considered for the award. No separate application or nomination is required.

• Abstracts will undergo the standard peer-review procedure.
• Reviewers will evaluate abstracts within their expertise while adhering to conflict-of-interest rules.
• During the review process, each reviewer may select one abstract per category for award consideration.

By 15.5.2026, the Scientific Committee will notify 5 authors in each category that their abstracts have been shortlisted for the Best Paper Award.

3. Final Selection

• The final evaluation will take place during the conference.
• Winners in both categories will be chosen based on scientific quality, relevance, clarity, and potential impact on the HEPA field.

4. Award

The winners will receive the Best Paper Award certificate which will be presented during the closing ceremony on the final day of the HEPA Europe conference.

Further inquiries for authors whose abstracts were accepted for oral presentations and have been considered for the Early Career Research Award can be made by contacting: info@hepa2026.si.