Nominations open for Plowright Prize 2026

We are calling for nominations of individuals working in Europe or the Commonwealth who have made a significant contribution to the control, management or eradication of infectious diseases of animals.

Nominees may be working in veterinary practice, academia, research organisations, industry, government or other relevant sectors. Anyone whose work demonstrates animal, humanitarian or economic benefit in infectious diseases of animals is eligible to be nominated. This includes veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and research scientists. Institutions and organisations are not eligible to be nominated. Nominations must be received by 31 January 2026.

The winner will be selected by an expert judging panel comprising representatives from leading national and international organisations and societies working in veterinary care and animal health, food and agriculture and microbiology.

The Prize is named after Walter Plowright, one of the world’s most eminent veterinary virologists and authorities on rinderpest in cattle. His work to develop a tissue culture vaccine represented a key milestone in efforts to control the disease – one of only two infectious diseases that have been fully eradicated. The prize is made possible thanks to a generous donation made to RCVS Knowledge with the aim of recognising excellence and stimulating further research and expertise in infectious diseases of animals.

The prize money must be used to increase or improve knowledge in the field of infectious diseases of animals and inspire future generations of veterinary professionals and scientists to undertake vital research in this area.

Chief Executive Officer, Katie Mantell said, “We’re delighted to be opening the fourth Plowright Prize. The effective management of infectious diseases of animals is vital to protecting animal welfare, promoting human health, preserving wildlife and ensuring environmental stability. We look forward to receiving nominations from across Europe and the Commonwealth that will further vital research benefiting animals, the public and society worldwide.”

Previous winners of the prize, which is awarded every two years, include:

• Professor Fiona Tomley, a specialist in microbiology and poultry health, who was awarded the prize in 2024 for her contribution to the reduction of infectious diseases in poultry. She is using the prize money to establish a global mentoring network for OneHealth infectious disease researchers.
• Dr. Herman Barkema, Professor in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary, who was awarded the prize in 2022 for his research on Mastitis, Johne’s disease and antimicrobial resistance.
• Professor William Ivan Morisson, the first recipient of the Plowright Prize in 2020, who used the prize fund for research into creating a cost-effective vaccine for the cattle disease East Coast Fever.