WAIMH offers five important awards to recognize individuals from around the world who have made significant contributions to the infant mental health community throughout their careers.
Interdisciplinary by design, WAIMH now invites nominations from professionals in the fields of health, mental health, early care and education, early intervention, hospitals, colleges and universities, legislatures, and more.
The deadline for submitting nomination materials is December 31, 2025. Awardees will be honored at the WAIMH World Congress in Toronto, Canada, taking place from October 2–6, 2026.
There are five award categories:
WAIMH Award
Given in recognition of significant contributions to the World Association for Infant Mental Health, either directly or through one of the WAIMH Affiliate Associations.
Sonya Bemporad Award
Given in recognition of significant contributions to the advancement of social and public policies that contribute to the mental health and overall benefit of infants, toddlers, and their families. Nominees typically are not involved in service delivery or scientific or clinical studies of infants. Legislators, officials, advocates, media representatives, foundation directors, and concerned citizens may qualify for the award.
Serge Lebovici Award
Given in recognition of significant contributions to the international development of Infant Mental Health. Nominees typically are individuals who have been actively involved in collaborative efforts that have cross-national implications for infant mental health.
René Spitz Award
Given in recognition of significant lifetime contributions to clinical and/or experimental research on topics related to Infant Mental Health. Nominees typically are individuals who have made substantive scientific contributions to the interdisciplinary field of infant mental health.
WAIMH New Investigator Award
The purpose of the WAIMH New Investigator Award is to recognize and encourage promising new investigators in Infant Mental Health. The applicant must be a member of WAIMH or must be sponsored by a member of WAIMH. The applicant must have earned a university degree no more than eight years prior to the application deadline. The individual selected as new investigator receives a cash award, a plaque, and acceptance of their paper for publication in the Infant Mental Health Journal: Infancy and Early Childhood (this involves exposure to the peer review process as a way of assisting the investigator’s professional development). In addition, the new investigator must be prepared to present their work at the following World Congress.
Learn more about the required nomination materials on the WAIMH website.
