Judging Criteria

We encourage applications from anyone conducting groundbreaking work anywhere in the world and in any language supported by an online translation tool. (Please select the language by clicking on the translate button on the left, just above your name.) Please note that the evaluation of submissions will mainly be conducted in English using Google Translate and/or DeepL, except when a judge is multilingual.

All applicants complete the same standardized process, promoting equity and fairness worldwide. Each individual applicant, team, or organization (whether nominated or applying directly) is asked the same series of questions. Because submissions vary widely in terms of style, scope, medium, aim, and application, it is up to the applicant and their evaluators to provide the judges with clear and detailed information about the work’s relevance, context, and implications.

Judges are appointed by the Trustees and remain confidential to ensure independence and integrity. The international judging panel reviews each application and then discusses the merits of the work before selecting that year's award recipients. 

Applications are assessed in terms of one or more of these criteria:

• advancing The Sigourney Award Trust's vision and mission

• enriching psychoanalytic thought, techniques, applications, practices, or institutions

• enhancing the cultural and social impact of psychoanalysis

• facilitating collaborations or dialogues between psychoanalysis and another discipline

• creating work in any form of art that resonates with or casts a new light upon psychoanalysis, in any of its aspects

• expanding the reach of psychoanalytic principles, treatment, or thought generally, or in a specific region, group, or cultural context

• increasing positive public awareness of psychoanalytic principles

Questions? Contact us at info@sigourneyaward.org or visit the website at sigourneyaward.org.