The Nominations and the Winners in Particular
On 6 April 2026, the jury received twelve nominations. The evaluation criteria were: (1) teamwork, (2) diversity, and (3) performance. According to the jury, these two teams most clearly demonstrated how they foster a positive collaborative culture (teamwork), how team members complement one another (diversity), and what they have achieved scientifically (performance).
FAIR data stewards
This team brings together the principles of team science and open science. It was formed through a shared intrinsic motivation. Team members are driven by a common goal: making data more FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to improve research in rare diseases. By applying FAIR principles, they accelerate scientific discovery, shorten diagnostic timelines for patients, enable data sharing and reuse, and help reduce the costs associated with fragmented data.
The team brings together people from different disciplines, background and career stages, combining expertise from across research, healthcare, technology and governance. Their collaboration is intentionally organized in a horizontal manner: regardless of seniority, each person’s expertise is valued, and team members engage with one another as equal partners. Their share commitment to improve rare disease research is strengthened by their close engament with patient communities and organisations.
This team has made an impact both nationally and internationally. As pioneers, they developed a data analysis approach that enabled five independent registries to be connected safely and efficiently. They also play a key role in supporting more than twenty European Reference Networks (ERNs). These cross-border networks connect European centres of expertise and hospitals to address rare and complex conditions that require highly specialized care. Through this work, their expertise directly contributes to stronger collaboration within the European healthcare and research landscape. Their influence extends well beyond Europe through a global FAIR training programme, which has already reached participants from 58 countries.
Center for the History of Philosophy and Science (CHPS)
CHPS is a research unit that combines the history of philosophy with the history of science. Founded in 1997 as a small research group and now comprising approximately 25 researchers, the center focuses on the development of what is known as natural philosophy from antiquity through the early modern period, and on the subsequent emergence of the modern natural sciences. The development and dissemination of scientific ideas within institutional, political, and religious contexts play a crucial role in this research.
The team is characterized by intensive day-to-day collaboration in both research and teaching, with co-teaching at its core. With two to four instructors teaching in a single class, CHPS not only creates a dynamic learning environment but also makes it possible to trace the development of a particular theme—such as chance or evolution—over a period of 2,500 years. In addition to joint publications, the team strengthens its academic cohesion through monthly meetings in which junior and senior members exchange open and constructive feedback on ongoing research, plans, and grant applications. Team spirit is further fostered through daily lunches at De Refter and the annual three-day writing retreat.
Thanks to its unique expertise, the team attracts researchers from all over the world. Since its foundation, the group has developed into an internationally leading center for the history of philosophy and science, with significant academic and societal impact. Team members are highly active in public engagement through the media, podcasts, exhibitions, and lectures, and translate their research for wider audiences in a variety of ways, ranging from primary-school education to cultural and academic initiatives.
Both winning teams received a prize of €5,000, which they can use to further strengthen team spirit.