WAIMH offers five important awards in recognition of individuals from across the world who have made very important contributions to the Infant Mental Health community in the course of their careers. Interdisciplinary by design, WAIMH invites nominations from the fields of health, mental health, early care and education, early intervention, hospitals, colleges and universities, legislatures, to name just a few.

There are 5 award categories:

• WAIMH Award
• Sonya Bemporad Award
• Serge Lebovici Award
• Rene Spitz Award
• WAIMH New Investigator Award*

*Please note: This category has different requirements for nomination materials. See below.

Please contact the WAIMH Central Office at office@waimh.org should you have any queries about any of the Awards.

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
WAIMH offers a special award for a promising new investigator.

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 his/her paper for publication in the Infant Mental Health Journal (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 his or her work at the following world congress.

Required nomination materials
Required nomination materials for the WAIMH Award, the Sonya Bemporad Award, the Serge Lebovici Award and the Réne Spitz Award include:

• A 250-500 word statement indicating why the nominee should receive the award.
• A copy of the nominee’s resume, vita, or biographical sketch. If you are nominating a group, provide a complete description of the group and its members as well as a brief history of its relevant activities.
• Three letters of support from individuals who endorse your nomination.

The WAIMH Awards Committee will select each of these awardees.

Required nomination materials for the WAIMH New Investigator Award include:

• A statement indicating why he/she should receive the award
• A manuscript of the applicant’s research
• A curriculum vitae.

The Program Committee of the 18th WAIMH World Congress will decide the next WAIMH New Investigator Awardee after reviewing the applications.