On 11 October 2025, the Virchow Prize Ceremony will return to Berlin to celebrate scientific leadership that drives social impact and advances health equity around the world. The Virchow Prize recognises researchers whose work demonstrates that science and social justice are inseparable, and whose discoveries transform policy, practice, and lives.
This year, the Prize honours Quarraisha Abdool Karim and Zulfiqar A. Bhutta for their pioneering, lifelong contributions to maternal, newborn, and child health. Professor Abdool Karim (CAPRISA, South Africa; Columbia University, USA) reshaped the global HIV response through the landmark CAPRISA 004 trial, proving that antiretroviral drugs can prevent infection in women while mentoring hundreds of scientists across Africa. Professor Bhutta (Aga Khan University, Pakistan; The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Canada) has led evidence-based, community-centred programmes that improve survival, nutrition, and equity for millions of children, informing WHO guidelines and national health policies worldwide. Together, they exemplify the Prize’s mission to combine rigorous research with a commitment to social justice.
The ceremony will take place at the historic Rotes Rathaus, Berlin, opening with welcome notes from Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin and High Patron of the Virchow Foundation, alongside addresses from Nina Warken, Federal Minister of Health, and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. The laureates’ achievements will be celebrated with a laudation delivered by Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, and Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, recognising the global impact of their work.
Closing remarks will be offered by the co-founders of the Virchow Foundation, Detlev Ganten, Roland Göhde, and Christoph Markschies, together with Carsten Schicker, CEO of the World Health Summit, underlining the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to advancing science in service of equity and social justice.
The Virchow Prize Ceremony 2025 can be watched live online at virchowprize.org, bringing this celebration of scientific excellence and societal impact to a global audience.
About the Virchow Prize and Foundation:
The non-profit Virchow Foundation annually awards the Virchow Prize, supporting UN efforts to protect the health of people and the planet and highlighting health’s central role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The €500,000 Prize honors outstanding contributions and lifelong achievements in global health. Established in 2021, the Foundation operates with support from scientific academies, parliamentarians, and civil society, commemorating the legacy of Berlin physician Rudolf Virchow.
Media representatives may apply for accreditation to attend the Virchow Prize Ceremony 2025 until October 10, 2025 using the form at virchowprize.org/communications-kit/.
Contact
Rebecca Ohanes
Communications & Partnerships Manager
Virchow Foundation
Berlin Global Health Collective
Dorotheenstr. 83, DE-10117 Berlin | Germany
+49 30 2063 0613
press@virchow.foundation
