Nominations open for JATE Award founded by Nobel laureate Katalin Karikó

Nominations are now open for the JATE Award, a new honor established by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Katalin Karikó to recognize excellence within the University of Szeged community, the institution announced in a press release.

The award, created in memory of the former József Attila University (JATE), a predecessor of the University of Szeged, honors outstanding students, faculty, and alumni. Recipients in each of the three categories will receive $5,000, an original artwork, and an honorary diploma.

Nominations are being accepted through Sept. 8 in the following categories:

• Current students enrolled at the University of Szeged

• Current faculty members at the university

• Former students or faculty of the University of Szeged or JATE

Nominees must demonstrate exceptional academic or scientific achievements and personal qualities that reflect the university’s spirit. Submissions may be made by current or former students and faculty using the form titled „JELÖLÉS a JATE-díjra” (Nomination for the JATE Award), which is currently available in Hungarian on this page. Forms can be submitted by mail to the university’s Directorate for International and Public Relations or by email to jatedij@szte.hu.

A five-member committee – chaired by Karikó – will review all submissions and select recipients by majority vote.

The award includes an original work of art symbolizing the values of the JATE Award. A design competition is currently open for artists, and winners will also receive a monetary prize. Recipients’ names will be included in the final artwork design.

Karikó and the vice chair of the award committee will sign the official honorary diplomas. If Karikó is unable to attend, a designated representative will present the awards at the university’s “Day of the University” celebration on Nov. 11.

Karikó – who received the 2023 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for her work in mRNA research – announced the award on April 16, 2024. During a university ceremony, she donated a certified replica of her Nobel medal to her alma mater. It is now on permanent display at the Klebelsberg Library, located in the University of Szeged’s Study and Information Center.

She also pledged her Nobel cash award – more than $500,000 – to establish the JATE Award and support future generations of the university’s scholars and scientists.

Featured image: Katalin Karikó at the József Attila Study and Information Center of the University of Szeged on April 16, 2024. Photo: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify