The Société de Physique et d'Histoire naturelle (SPHN) of Geneva is pleased to announce the award of the Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle Prize in 2026. This prize recognizes the author of the best taxonomic treatment of a plant group (angiosperms, gymnosperms, bryophytes and green algae), as well as fungi and lichens. The purpose of the prize is to encourage and foster the publication of monographic treatments in plant taxonomy, preferably by scientists still at an early stage of their career.
The submitted work should be a complete coverage of the treated group, namely its arrangement in a system of hierarchical classification. It should follow an integrated taxonomic approach, including descriptions of morphological and anatomical characters, physiology, chemistry, ecology and molecular phylogenetics. Complete bibliography, critical synonymy and identification keys are required. The work should comply with the International Code of Nomenclature (2024 – Madrid Code).
The work may consist of a single monograph or of a series of peer-reviewed papers on the same group. In this case, the candidate must be the first author of the phylogeny and taxonomy sections. Submitted works should be unpublished or published after October 31st, 2022.
The prize is open to researchers of all nationalities. The text, however, must be written in French, English, Spanish or Portuguese. A summary of the monograph, of no more than 4000 words, must be written in English or French.
The work should be submitted to the Secretary of the prize, along with its summary and the author's curriculum vitae, before Friday October 31st, 2025, as electronic files uploaded at the following address fred.stauffer@geneve.ch, using the website: https://www.swisstransfer.com/fr-fr or as printed documents (two copies) sent to the following address:
Dr. Fred Stauffer
Prix Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle
Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève
Case postale 71
CH-1292 Chambésy, Suisse
The 2026 de Candolle Prize of CHF 5'000 will be awarded in Geneva during early 2026, in the presence of the winner, invited by the SPHN to attend the ceremony. The Prize will not be awarded if the proposals are regarded as insufficient or do not comply with the conditions of this announcement.
For more details, please contact the Prize Secretary Dr. Fred Stauffer. For further information on the history of the Prize: https://www.unige.ch/sphn/Prixetbourses/