The Sigourney Award-2026 Now Accepting Applications for Psychoanalytic Innovation

International Prize Honors Trailblazing Work Advancing Psychoanalytic Thought and Principles — Cash Award and Global Recognition

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Sigourney Award Trust is now accepting applications for The Sigourney Award-2026 from individuals, teams, and organizations worldwide whose work has advanced psychoanalytic thinking and principles. The award, established in 1989 by psychotherapist and community activist Mary Sigourney, celebrates both traditional and non-traditional applications of psychoanalysis and has recognized the exceptional work of 153 recipients from 22 countries since 1990.

Why it matters

The Sigourney Award is a prestigious international prize that honors trailblazing work in the field of psychoanalysis, which has the potential to positively impact people's lives and enhance our understanding of the human experience. The award's commitment to global accessibility and diverse applications of psychoanalysis underscores its importance in advancing this important field of study.

The details

The independent award celebrates both traditional and non-traditional applications of psychoanalysis, and an anonymous panel of international judges conduct thorough evaluations of all submissions to identify winning work that has influenced others and contributed meaningfully to the evolution, understanding, or impact of psychoanalysis. Recipients earning The Sigourney Award distinction win professional recognition and a monetary reward.

  • Applications open on March 1, 2026.
  • The deadline for applications is July 31, 2026.
  • Recipients will be announced in November 2026.

The players

Mary Sigourney

The psychotherapist, publisher, and community activist who established The Sigourney Award Trust in 1989 with the clear vision of encouraging bold, original, and substantive psychoanalytic contributions that advance psychoanalytic principles and thought across disciplines.

Robin A. Deutsch, PhD

The Analyst Trustee of The Sigourney Award Trust, who says the wide-ranging diversity and integrated psychoanalytic principles applied in the work submitted continues to impress the judges and positively enhances the world and the lives we lead.

Michael J. Harrington, JD

The Attorney Trustee of The Sigourney Award Trust, who says the founder wanted to honor accomplishments already achieved and to empower recipients to use the unrestricted prize in whatever way best supports their continued work.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The wide-ranging diversity and integrated psychoanalytic principles applied in the work submitted continues to impress our judges. Each body of work positively enhances our world and enhances the lives we lead.”

— Robin A. Deutsch, PhD, Analyst Trustee (The Sigourney Award)

“Our founder wanted to honor accomplishments already achieved and to empower recipients to use the unrestricted prize in whatever way best supports their continued work.”

— Michael J. Harrington, JD, Attorney Trustee (The Sigourney Award)

What’s next

The Sigourney Award Trust will announce the recipients of The Sigourney Award-2026 in November 2026.

The takeaway

The Sigourney Award is a prestigious international prize that celebrates the diverse and innovative applications of psychoanalysis, underscoring the field's potential to positively impact people's lives and enhance our understanding of the human experience. The award's commitment to global accessibility and empowering recipients to continue their groundbreaking work makes it a significant force in advancing this important field of study.