Award for Outstanding Contribution in Clinical Trials 2025

The award for outstanding contributions to clinical trials is a new national recognition aimed at highlighting and acknowledging those who truly make a difference for research in Norway. The award has been established by LMI, Melanor, Inven2, NorCRIN, CONNECT, and the jury represents national and regional stakeholders in both academically and industry-initiated clinical research.

Published 8/19/2025

Last updated 11/19/2025

We honour those who advance research

Clinical trials are the backbone of the development of new treatment methods, medications, and better patient care. Behind each trial stand dedicated professionals, healthcare personnel, and partners who make an invaluable effort -often beyond what is expected. This research and effort both save and improve lives.

Purpose:

The award aims to recognise individuals, teams, or institutions that have excelled through their commitment, effort and quality in clinical trials. This may involve everything from facilitation and recruitment to research, dissemination and patient involvement.

In the automn of 2025, there has been an open nomination process, and the jury has received around 100 nominations for the 6 award categories:

Clinical Research Centre of the Year : A total of 16 unique nominations
Best Investigator-Initiated Trial: A total of 18 unique nominations
Best Industry-Initiated Trial: A total of 12 unique nominations
Most Innovative Research Environment: A total of 3 unique nominations
Young Researcher of the Year: A total of 2 unique nominations
Dedication Award (“Ildsjel”) of the Year : A total of 21 unique nominations

The deadline for nominating candidates has now passed!

Jury

Frida Ness-Ulseth, LMI
Cathy Capdeville, Melanor
Henrietta Blankson, Research Council
Rita Halvorsen, Cancer Society
Jens Halvard Grønlien, Inven2
Knut Terje Smerud, Norwegian CRO Association
Anne Rita Øksengård, National Association for Public Health
SIv Mørkved, Former Chief Director Health Mid-Norway RHF / Prof. NTNU

Award Ceremony

On January 29, 2026, there will be a festive evening where we will honour the award winners and celebrate clinical trials. There will be simple food service and a good opportunity for mingling.

Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre will open the event.

Preliminary Program:

17.00-18.00 Arrival and light refreshments

18.00-18.10 Welcome by Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre

18.10-18.15 Musical performance

18.15-18.20 Information from the organizers

18.20-19.50 Award ceremony

19.50-20.00 Honorary award presentation

20.00: Conclusion